Citizen Mina, a young university graduate, writes to the President of Kenya about the nuisance of phoney educational institutions in our country

Dear Mr. President,
Following Mwananchi’s concerns from last time about the performance of our local universities, I hope that you got an explanation from the Minister for Higher Education. I still shine my torch on some unresolved matters, and ask that he gives an account for the recent young Kenyan’s woes.

I am happy that there is a thirst for higher education among fellow Kenyans. Clearly, young minds are eager and more than willing to give all they can to have diplomas and certificates. Families are coming together to support students – let it be said that al least ‘one of their own’ has seen the door of a college.
Your Excellency, can the Minister tell us how and why many Kenyans get swindled out of their time and monies by fake and unregistered institutions offering bogus programmes? While Mwananchi wonders aloud why someone would study in a college for three years without bothering to verify its credentials, it would be an major oversight to ignore the fact that these institutions are operating illegally right under the authorities’ noses, some for as long as five years. Something is amiss; someone is either desperately gullible or others are sleeping - and deeply so - on their jobs.
Mwananchi deeply sympathises with those who have had to count their losses after potential employers turn them down because their college or polytechnics are not recognized. It is interesting to note that the owners of these illegally run institutions vanish into the thin air and become mteja when reprieve or at least a plausible explanation is sought. Not amusing, especially when some have spent monies running into half a million.
It is no wonder that Mwananchi has heard some loud whispers from employers, who bemoan the kind of schools that promise deliverance from ignorance and the calibre of education on offer. It is also disturbing to note that they have the temerity to blatantly advertise their existence. Sir, apart from the Honourable Minister apologising to those who have been victims of these schemers, he has to explain how this has come to be. Allow me to give a few suggestions to him. He owes Kenya an explanation.
With Vision 2030 that promises economic and social development in mind, the Minister should channel his energies to ensure that all bogus colleges are wiped out – without exception based on political affiliation. The offenders should be traced and prosecuted after refunding the finances that students have wasted chasing the wind. Come to think of it, they should also be sued for causing ‘psychological and emotional trauma’ to those who were unfortunate enough to fall for their deception.
The Commission for Higher Education must vet all potential educational institutions – including staff, programmes and premises – before allowing their accreditation. While I suspect that punitive measures exist to deter the recent mushrooming of fake colleges, I am certain they are not aggressively enforced to warn anyone entertaining the idea of making a quick buck from the current thirst for knowledge. In the same spirit, a public campaign should be rolled out to create awareness among my fellow wananchi of such plots and to encourage them to verify the credentials of any educational institution they intend to be part of.
It will take longer to achieve Vision 2030 if the young and vibrant minds are frustrated and their time is wasted because of ignorance, corruption and complacency. Mr. President, hold the Minister to account and tell him to put his armour ready. This has to stop.

Yours faithfully,
Mwananchi Minah.