Kenya’s higher education regulator has issued a stern warning to students about enrolling in unaccredited universities & colleges, highlighting the risk of wasting years of study and significant financial resources.
The Commission for University Education (CUE) has published a list of sixteen universities and colleges that do not have legal authority to offer degree or diploma programmes.
According to CUE, some of these institutions have continued advertising courses despite lacking accreditation, creating confusion and potential pitfalls for prospective students.
Graduates from unaccredited schools often discover—too late—that their qualifications are not recognized by employers, professional boards, or other universities, severely limiting career opportunities.
The commission emphasized that accreditation is mandatory for all institutions and their programmes, and is not a one-time process.
Universities are subject to ongoing monitoring and periodic reviews to ensure they meet national standards in staffing, governance, facilities, and curriculum delivery. Failure to comply can result in suspension or removal from the approved list.
CUE urged parents, guardians, and students to actively verify accreditation status before enrollment by consulting official CUE platforms.
Education experts note that awareness is key to protecting students from diploma mills that exploit learners’ ambitions.
As Kenya expands access to higher education, CUE reiterated its commitment to maintaining quality assurance, safeguarding student interests, and preserving the credibility of Kenyan qualifications both locally and internationally.
The regulator stressed that higher education should contribute meaningfully to national development rather than exploiting the aspirations of young people seeking to build their futures.
By publicly naming these sixteen institutions, CUE sends a clear message that compliance with national education standards is non-negotiable and essential for maintaining the integrity of the country’s academic system.
