Infrastructure strains drive Kenyan students to overseas Universities

Speaking at a Higher Education fair in Nairobi organised by Educare International, Omar Mohamed, the agency’s Director, noted that poor-quality university education in Kenya could also be pushing students abroad, as Kenyans prefer to study overseas, where they believe universities guarantee quality learning and prestige.

By Precious KAVEZA Last updated Sep 28, 2026

Kenyan students seeking higher education and advanced studies are flocking to foreign universities for study–abroad opportunities as local institutions continue to face severe space shortages, funding limits, and infrastructure strains.

Indeed, Kenyan universities have witnessed unprecedented student revolts over the past two years.

It began as protests against rising tuition fees and calls for reform of the higher education system, including better pay for university dons, before rapidly gaining momentum and becoming a national student uprising demanding free access and the decolonisation of higher education.

Experts say that the majority are moving abroad for studies due to better quality education, access to superior facilities, potential for better career opportunities in the global job market, and a conviction that foreign universities provide a more competitive edge compared to the Kenyan education system, which is often seen as outdated and lacking in resources.

Applications to study overseas, particularly in the United Kingdom (UK), the US, Canada, Australia, Dubai, Malaysia, among others, have soared since the release of the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), with Bachelor’s degrees and Master’s programmes in engineering, IT, business and law being the primary choice for Kenyan learners.