Prof. Maurice Oduor Okoth

While the intended benefits of the merger—such as eliminating funtional overlaps and improving regulatory efficiency—appear well-intentioned, a closer examination reveals potential risks that could undermine the quality, credibility, and oversight of Kenya’s education system. As a higher education expert, I argue that merging TVETA, CUE and KNQA into a single entity is not only ill-advised but also retrogressive. A well-regulated education...

KNATCOM serves as the official liaison between Kenya and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), ensuring the country aligns its policies with global educational, scientific, and cultural initiatives. In the cultural sphere, KNATCOM has been instrumental in promoting and protecting Kenya’s cultural heritage, ensuring the preservation of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and intangible cultural assets. By bridging education,...

From research topic search, through literature reviews to data analysis, AI-powered tools offer unparalleled efficiency, helping researchers refine their ideas, improve writing quality, and streamline complex tasks. However, if students rely on AI to write entire sections of their theses without critical evaluation, their work may lack originality, raising concerns about academic integrity. Universities should invest in training programs to help...

Scientific research is built on the principles of rigor, transparency, and accountability. However, the rise of unethical practices threatens to undermine these ideals. To understand why such practices are on the rise, it is essential to examine the pressures researchers face in today’s highly competitive academic and scientific environment. It is only through collective action, unwavering commitment to ethics, and a...

The issue of exam irregularities in the KCSE exams highlights systemic failures and unethical practices. A shift towards holistic assessments, incorporating continuous evaluation and character development, could reduce pressure and curtail cheating. Parents should teach their children the value of honesty, while teachers must recognise signs of malpractice and lead by example. The Ministry of Education officially released the 2024 Kenya Certificate...

Launched in 2017, this new framework replaced the long-standing 8-4-4 system with the 2-6-3-3-3 model, designed to prepare learners for a dynamic and rapidly changing world.   The cost of CBC materials, including specialised textbooks and learning tools, has raised concerns, particularly among low-income families who struggle to afford these additional expenses. The government must increase the education budget to adequately...

These inefficiencies at the registry level reduce the pool of candidates for consideration and undermine public confidence in the recruitment process. Professors, as the highest rank in academia, provide a unique perspective that is crucial for assessing candidates’ scholarly contributions and understanding of academic culture. The PSC’s expansive workload, spanning various government departments, has overstretched its capacity, resulting in inefficiencies and...

The controversy surrounding Northwestern Christian University and Open Christian University highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement of higher education regulations in Kenya. The proliferation of rogue institutions exploiting legal loopholes must be curbed to protect the integrity of academic qualifications. The CUE and other regulatory bodies must take swift and firm action to address this issue and set a precedent...

Financial fraud remains a pervasive issue in Kenyan universities, undermining their ability to deliver quality education and maintain public trust. Academic fraud, particularly the illegal graduation of students, has also been reported, undermining the meritocratic principles that universities are expected to uphold. National bodies like the Commission for University Education (CUE), EACC, and the Auditor General’s Office play critical...

The enrollment of women in postgraduate programmes has been on the rise globally, reflecting strides in bridging gender gaps in education. Male supervisors, whether consciously or unconsciously, often hold gender biases that influence their perceptions and treatment of female students. Male supervisors have been reported meeting female students late into the night for drinks or coffee, in hotel rooms under the...