Spiritual and moral formation in the private Universities in Kenya: A case study of Kenya Methodist University.

Abstract

Despite the critical importance given to character building and spiritual formation in most private universities in Kenya (many of which have religious foundations), there is considerable evidence that many students are found to be involved in socially deviant behavior as well as academic malpractices. This study examined the importance given to, and the current state of character building and spiritual formation affairs at the Kenya Methodist University (subsequently referred as KeMU). The students' perception regarding the importance of the above virtues to their holistic development was sought. The researcher further sought to establish what relationship existed between deviant moral behaviors among the students to their involvement in relevant spiritual programs available at the university. The study was significance because intellectual excellence alone, without moral and spiritual uprightness to match with, has continued to produce and send imbalanced graduates to the society, unable to synthesize academic and upright character in their service. The researcher developed survey instruments (interviews and questionnaires) to collect data from a sample of 240 student respondents through stratified random sampling and a purposive sample of 10 staff members. The findings of the study revealed that spiritual and moral formation programs needed to be enhanced and that a lack of adequate spiritual impartation played a major role in the moral deterioration evidenced by academic malpractices and other vices among students in Kenya's private universities. One of the major priorities of the Kenyan government is to produce learned men and women of integrity who would be used to implement its strategic plan as envisioned in the vision 2030 dream. The implementation of the findings of this is study will go a long way in helping the Kenyan government achieve its dream through well educated, holistic individuals.