Globalization has challenged and changed roles for governments, non-profits, and non-governmental institutions for countries in the Global South. It has similarly spawned the births of numerous manifestations of non-governmental institutions, which potentially complement the approximately 7,000-9,000 higher education institutions that exist worldwide. Improving education is an oft-cited goal of many countries' development efforts including Kenya, in her most recent Vision 2030 plan for development yet many scholars and students alike fall short when they deem only primary or secondary education as the main avenues to realize development goals. This exploratory, qualitative study considers if Kenyan higher education public or private institutions play a role in the country's development process.