The excuses being given for the mess in public universities are lame, to say the least. Unplanned growth, over enrollment, lack of teaching and learning resources, shortage of teaching staff etc are all symptoms, not the reason, for an ailing university system.

 There are four key players who have been sleeping on the job and not playing their role honestly and sincerely.

One: The Ministry of Education appears not to be sure what its role is in funding, promoting and monitoring university education.

In fact, since 1963 our MOE has been swayed hither and thither by political and ideological imperatives dictated by forces outside Kenya whose agenda is in direct conflict with the needs and desires of our citizenry.

Two:The Commission for University Education has issued charters to universities that cannot pass muster as fit to carry out their respective mandates. It is clear CUE either does not carry out timely inspections or is unable to do so.

Three: University Managers (VCs, DVCs and University Councils) are traditionally and historically ill-prepared to take up their responsibilities.

Many of them have little financial, managerial, and technical skills required to run a complex system such as a university.

In fact, all levels of academic management from Heads of Departments through to Directors, Deans and Principals all require compulsory management training as such training is not acquired in their academic journey upwards.

 The Kenya School of Government trains Chiefs and all other ranks upto Cabinet Secretaries and Ambassadors. Why are Vice-Chancellors and their junior colleagues not compelled to undergo such training?

Sixty percent of the mess at universities would not have occurred if these individuals had elementary management skills.

Four: University Senates are the link between the working class (lecturers) and the desk-bound bosses (VCs and DVCs) and are responsible for the success of academic programs in their totality.

In most universities Senate comprises Deans, Heads (Chairpersons) of Departments, Directors, Principals and Full Professors.

In more liberal universities there is some kind of student representation. Senate fails spectacularly in its mandate when it panders to the wishes and whims of a dictatorial Vice Chancellor or Council.

Senate, if it so wishes, can openly debate an academic issue and make concrete recommendations to management that will lead to a meaningful solution to the problem in question.

The many challenges and disasters that befall our public universities can be solved at the Senate. But there is an essential proviso: VCs must give their Senates the latitude to carry out their mandates without the threats that are often the norm rather than the exception.