An Historical Review of Higher Education in Kenya Since 1975, with an Emphasis on Curriculum Development

This study focuses on the history of higher education in Kenya since 1975, with an emphasis on curriculum development. The main purposes of the study were (1) to describe the historical events of higher education in Kenya since 1975, and (2) to analyze the present system of higher education in the country. The study attempted to answer questions related to higher education in Kenya. The questions investigated were (1) how had the characteristics of higher education curriculum changed since 1975?; (2) in what ways had the purposes of higher education in Kenya changed since 1975?; (3) to what extent have these purposes been achieved? why or why not?; and (4) which events since 1975 had a major impact on higher education in Kenya? The major analysis of the study is historical and gives an explanation of the history of the development of higher education in the colonial days in Kenya, briefly discussing the period 1963-75. The analysis of Kenyan institutions of higher education covers the development of Kenyan higher education since 1975. The discussion consists of basic facts of Kenyan higher education. Data from primary and secondary sources were analyzed and studied. Documents were chronologically and topically reviewed. Chapter I of the study is the introduction. The history of higher education is in Chapter II. Chapter III discusses the impact of Western education in Kenya. Chapter IV deals with development, politics, and Kenyan higher education. Chapter V contains the summary, a discussion, and conclusions based on the facts presented in Chapters I through IV. Since 1975, higher education in Kenya has emphasized vocational and technical education, African culture, natural sciences, and rural development