Examining research productivity of faculty in selected leading public universities in Kenya

The purpose of this study was to examine research productivity of faculty at two leading Kenyan public universities. The analysis showed that the research productivity of faculty varied by gender, institution, terminal degree, rank, discipline, and years of work experience. Individual characteristics (gender, rank, terminal degree, and experience) and institutional characteristics (number of undergraduate students enrolled, percentage of Ph.D. students enrolled, and funding allocated for research function) are significantly associated with faculty research productivity. Faculty's experience was not a determinant factor of their research productivity. More experienced faculty were less productive. The study has significant implications to shift from perfonnance contracts and self-reported instruments currently used in Kenyan public universities and enhance research productivity of faculty, in their pursuit of the stated institutional vision, mission and goals.