Kabarak University continues to set the pace as a values-driven, innovative, and high-performing institution following the presentation of the 2025 Organizational Performance Index (OPI) Report by the Kenya Institute of Management (KIM) to the University Management Board (UMB). The special meeting, chaired by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Henry K. Kiplangat, reviewed the findings of the independent assessment and affirmed the University’s strong trajectory in governance, innovation, quality, and institutional sustainability.

The OPI assessment evaluated Kabarak University’s leadership maturity, operational effectiveness, innovation capability, financial management, customer experience, and corporate citizenship, benchmarking the institution against national and international best practices

A Strong Endorsement of Kabarak’s Values-Based Leadership

The assessment confirmed Kabarak University as a values-driven institution with strong governance, ethical leadership, and mature management systems across key pillars such as human capital, innovation, quality, finance, and stakeholder engagement.

A defining strength highlighted in the report is the integration of the University’s Brand Promise and Moral Code into daily operations, performance contracts, and staff appraisal systems, ensuring accountability and consistency across all levels of the institution.

KIM further recognized Kabarak’s robust governance and transparency, supported by ISO 9001:2015 certification and oversight from the University Council and Management Board.

Innovation, Digital Transformation, and AI Leadership

Kabarak University received commendation for its moderate-to-strong innovation maturity, supported by research centers, ICT systems, and nationally recognized artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives.

The University has built a mature innovation ecosystem, anchored in:

• Intellectual Property (IP) and research policies
• Innovation platforms such as the Central Rift Innovation Week (CRIW)
• Curriculum innovation and modern pedagogy
• Digital systems, including ERP enhancements, e-procurement, and AI-supported academic tools.

Notably, Kabarak is recognized as one of the first universities in Kenya to develop and approve an AI policy, positioning the institution at the forefront of responsible AI adoption in higher education.

Quality, Productivity, and Service Excellence

The OPI report highlighted Kabarak’s strong quality and productivity framework, anchored in ISO 9001:2015 and a comprehensive Quality Management System (QMS)

Key achievements include:

• 98% uptime of critical ICT and infrastructure systems, supported by proactive maintenance strategies
• Improved service turnaround times and customer satisfaction
• Recognition through the Kenya Quality Awards 2025 and East Africa Regional Quality Awards

The University’s leadership, led by the Vice-Chancellor as QMS Management Representative, was praised for championing continuous improvement, performance contracting, and data-informed decision-making

Financial Resilience and Strategic Sustainability

Kabarak University demonstrated strong financial resilience, recovering from a 2023 deficit to a surplus in 2024 through adaptive financial management and strategic planning

The institution benefits from:

• A structured financial planning framework aligned with the 2022–2026 Strategic Plan.
• Strong liquidity monitoring and variance controls.
• Growing non-tuition revenue streams, including conferences, farming, and enterprise initiatives.

Recommendations from KIM include expanding rolling forecasts, strengthening financial benchmarking, and establishing a long-term Endowment Fund Strategy to further enhance sustainability.

Commitment to Corporate Citizenship and Environmental Stewardship

The assessment affirmed Kabarak University’s strong commitment to corporate citizenship and environmental management, supported by scholarships, community development projects, renewable energy adoption, waste management, and regulatory compliance.

The University’s initiatives in tree planting, solar energy, water projects, and outreach continue to position Kabarak as an emerging Green University and a socially responsible institution in Kenya and the region.

OPI Score and National Benchmarking

Kabarak University attained a high OPI Score, reflecting strong overall performance and placing the institution competitively among top-performing organizations nationally.

University leadership expressed confidence that, with continued focus on leadership pipeline development, customer excellence, market intelligence, lean methodologies, and AI capacity building, Kabarak is well-positioned to compete for “Organization of the Year” honours in upcoming cycles.

During the UMB meeting, members welcomed the OPI findings as both an affirmation of progress and a roadmap for future growth. Key forward actions include strengthening succession planning, decentralizing risk ownership, enhancing quality assurance capacity, and expanding leadership and AI training initiatives.

As the OPI report concludes, Kabarak University is well-positioned to transition into a data-driven, digitally integrated, and globally competitive institution, setting a national benchmark for excellence in higher education leadership in the digital era.

Kabarak University remains steadfast in its mission to deliver excellence grounded in values, innovation, quality, and service, shaping leaders, transforming communities, and defining the future of higher education in Kenya and beyond.