Government Education Initiatives: 

The GoK recognizes education as the primary means of sustainable economic development, social mobility, national cohesion, and social development. This led to the implementation of programs that rapidly expanded the education sector. Examples include tertiary and satellite campuses to reach out to the county-level audience outside of Nairobi.

Several local and foreign investors are establishing various levels of schools from kindergarten to secondary, including those offering British, American, and other curricula. With this private investment, the GoK reallocated resources towards the expansion of public secondary schools and identified centers of academic excellence in every county. Funds are now being channeled to existing public high schools for expansion rather than initiating new learning institutions. Consequently, schools that had three groups of 20-25 students per class are now being expanded to accommodate an extra class grouping; and dormitories are being expanded to accommodate more students to meet the high demand for secondary education. 

However, the GoK lacks the financial capacity and technical expertise to efficiently implement the reform initiatives. Therefore, aid organizations like UNICEF, USAID, World Vision, Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), among others are providing needed assistance to the expansion and development of education in the country, especially in public institutions.

Kenyans value the quality and opportunity the American education system offers, especially at the tertiary level.  However, given the high tuition fees of U.S. institutions, education in the United States is limited to those few that can secure adequate funding or scholarships. Average annual tuition at a Kenyan public university is approximately $1,500 - $5,000.  Nevertheless, each year 2,000 to 4,000 Kenyans enroll in U.S. institutions.  U.S. universities and colleges need to tailor their recruitment efforts to target this growing niche market.

Leading Sub-Sectors

Most opportunities are found in specific undergraduate and graduate programs in the United States. There is high interest in the fields of engineering, healthcare, and sciences.  Kenyan students are especially interested in programs that allow them to work while studying. The benefits of low-cost and admission-friendly community colleges are steadily becoming understood in Kenya, though the numbers of Kenyan students choosing to study at community college remains relatively low.  The best mechanism for recruiting Kenyan students for studies abroad is via education fairs, usually held from January -March, May, and September – November.  

Other opportunities include in private sector primary and secondary schools, as Kenya’s growing middle class values U.S. private sector education.  

Resources

For more information on the Education sector contact:
Judy Magondu

Commercial Assistant

U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Embassy Nairobi
U.S. Department of Commerce | International Trade Administration
 +254 (20) 363-6400; Judy.Magondu@trade.gov