By KPC Reporter
A payslip shared by former Makueni Governor and veteran academic Prof. Kivutha Kibwana has revealed the grim reality facing many lecturers across the country.
Prof. Kibwana, who taught law at the University of Nairobi (UoN) for 25 years, posted a copy of his August 2002 payslip, showing a gross salary of KSh 81,888.55.
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The document breaks down his earnings into a basic salary of KSh 33,380, house allowance of KSh 40,000, and additional minor allowances.
After deductions, his net take-home pay would have been significantly lower.
“Still, university lecturers earn peanuts,” Kibwana lamented in his accompanying statement.
“Government research budget is minimal. Many top academicians have gone abroad. Large numbers of youth lack fees. Hence collapse of tertiary education.”
Prof. Kibwana is currently a lecturer at the United States International University (USIU-Africa).
His remarks reflect growing frustration within Kenya’s academic community over what many see as the slow but steady erosion of the country’s once-prestigious public university system.
Kenya’s public universities have long served as the backbone of the country’s higher education system, producing generations of professionals and scholars.
However, the institutions have increasingly struggled with underfunding, brain drain, student unrest, and governance issues.
Many experienced professors have either transitioned to private universities or taken up positions abroad, where they are better compensated and resourced for research.
The financial crisis is also affecting students.
Rising tuition fees and the inadequacy of government loans have left many unable to complete their studies.
Also, a minimal research budget means Kenyan universities continue to lag in global rankings, with little innovation output compared to regional and global peers.
Education experts and university staff unions have repeatedly urged the government to review lecturer salaries and invest more significantly in research and infrastructure.
However, with ballooning public debt and competing national priorities, such reforms remain stalled.
