Sharon Njoki, a junior accounts executive at a Nairobi public relations agency, earns Sh60,000 and has saved Sh480,000 in two years. The 27-year-old, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Communications from the University of Nairobi in 2021, plans to pursue a Master’s degree.
In contrast, her friend Betty Mulinge faces ongoing challenges. After missing out on the graduation list for the fifth time due to incomplete marks, she feels stuck. An important exam she missed during her second year has cost her opportunities and left her feeling humiliated, even though she eventually completed the exam.
Unlike Njoki, Mulinge has struggled to find stable work, occasionally earning up to Sh25,000 from data entry jobs, much of which goes toward personal expenses. “I feel worthless; my life has stagnated for two years,” she shares, revealing that she sleeps on a sofa in her parents’ one-bedroom house in Huruma Estate. She works as a brand promoter when not doing data entry.
“The bureaucratic obstacles from the lecturer responsible for entering my marks have ruined my life. The lecturer has left the institution and rarely answers my calls, and the department isn’t helping. I’m at my breaking point,” she cries, lamenting lost scholarship and job opportunities because she lacks a degree after nearly six years in school.
“December will be my last attempt. I have suffered, and I hope to finally obtain my degree and move forward with my life,” she says, her story highlighting the struggles of many Kenyan university students who have lost hope due to various challenges, especially financial constraints.
We spoke to several others facing similar issues, uncovering harrowing experiences tied to outdated examination and clearance systems. While some lecturers blame students for their complacency, many agree that the system needs automation to reduce corruption and inefficiencies.
Many institutions did not respond to requests for comment by the time of publication. At Kiriri Women’s University of Science and Technology, the dean’s office redirected inquiries to the Chancellor’s office.
Last Friday, Jamleck graduated from the University of Nairobi after six attempts. “Lack of school fees was my biggest mistake. Although I passed my exams, my marks took too long to reflect, delaying my graduation. I’ve made so many trips that I could navigate the third floor of Mahatma Gandhi’s Hall blindfolded,” he says.
He describes the process of registering for missed exams as akin to a full-time job due to its complexity. “I could be in the U.S. pursuing my dream engineering job, but here I am. I’m grateful to have finally graduated, but I’ve lost a lot of time and opportunities.”
Jamleck shares that some peers resorted to bribery to secure their places on graduation lists, with others facing exploitation from unscrupulous lecturers and administrators.
Neolla Mwanzi recounted how it took her four extra years to graduate from Maseno University. “I was fortunate to find a job based on my experience, but the degree is essential for career advancement. After numerous calls and visits to the institution, I finally obtained my papers in 2022.”
She revealed that a close friend fell into depression after repeated failures to graduate from Moi University. “While her family supports her, many others have lost hope, with some even committing suicide.”
Victor Kinyanjui acknowledged the corruption within the university system but placed some blame on students for negligence and procrastination. “I graduated on time from Mount Kenya University by following the necessary steps. Many students fail to meet requirements and then blame the institutions.”
In 2022, the University of Nairobi deregistered over 30,000 inactive students who had overstayed their studies, accounting for 37.5 percent of total enrollment, including those who had withdrawn or failed exams. While lack of school fees was a major factor, many master’s students also faced deregistration for not completing their research in time.
