Embu VC urges state to increase varsity funds

University of Embu vice chancellor Paul Mugendi has urged the state to allocate more funding to the institution for efficient operations.

The VC decried lack of enough funds in the institutions.

Speaking during the institution’s fifth anniversary of its charter on Wednesday at Embu, Mugendi said the state promised to fund about 30 per cent of the university operations this year instead of the expected 80 per cent.

“Universities have always called on the government to increase funding. The government funding is too low.

"The government should improve the funding to allow the universities to give quality training as required by state,” he said.

University of Embu was awarded a charter by President Uhuru Kenyatta in October 7, 2016.

The institution has since achieved memorable milestones including the top position among state corporations in performance evaluation for 2019-20 financial year.  

The VC said the University of Embu has set up income-generating projects to enable the institution cater for its operations.

He said the university has been depending on third stream methods of raising funds like competitive grant hunting through research.

Mugendi said the university’s yogurt processing project, sanitiser and detergents, farming as well as self-sponsored students are among their sources of income.

He cited competition from a steadily growing number of public and private universities as a challenge.

The chief guest, InterFaith Council Embu chairman Bishop Samuel Nginyi, said the state should ensure enough job opportunities for the thousands of graduates.

He also appealed to universities in Kenya to emulate University of Embu in instituting more agriculture programmes for food security in the country.

(Edited by Bilha Makokha)