The contribution that African PhD holders are making in the continent is becoming more apparent and is invaluable (Keystone Academic Solutions, 2021) It is encouraged that PhD students undertake research in the areas that are connected to their countries or regions. In Africa the top five countries that are engaged in research activities include Algeria, Egypt, South Africa Kenya and Nigeria, with South Africa leading the way in also research funding (Keystone Academic Solutions, 2021). It is postulated that in Sub Saharan Africa, the fastest growing higher education sector is in Kenya (Barasa & Omulando, 2018). Kenya, the country which I come from, is ranked fourth in generating knowledge, with South Africa leading, followed by Egypt and Nigeria. However, Kenya is amongst the most competitive systems in Africa (Barasa & Omulando, 2018). In many African countries, gender gaps still exist in higher institutions of learning with only about 30% of researchers being women. This affects whether they’ll be recruited in universities as researchers and in teaching positions (Khisa, 2020). Women’s success working in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields depended on gender relations, the process of recruitment and also the environment they worked in (Khisa, 2020). Master’s degrees which last two to three years do not prepare the students adequately to embark on a PhD (Ngure, 2016), which in majority of the cases is purely research based. Many register to pursue a PhD but are left struggling with the research skills needed to develop research questions, conceptual and theoretical framework (Ngure, 2016), which forms the backbone of a PhD research. Critical analysis and conceptual thinking are important in developing research skills, which unfortunately, a master’s degree does not adequately prepare a student for the long arduous journey of a PhD.
