Majority of developing countries are grappling with enormous pressure on how to resolve rising enrollment pegged on the bed occupancy of many public universities. The problem compounded by the limited or lack of meaningful quantitative expansion of infrastructural facilities to accommodate rising student population whom compete for already overstretched facilities and resources. However, the rapid advancement of information technology (IT) has resulted in the world becoming a global village. IT in the educational sector is growing at a steady rate as institutions of higher learning recognize the capabilities of IT to supplement, enrich, expand, integrate, and support existing traditional mode of learning. Consequently, the student and teachers are separated in time and space irrespective of their geographical locations where they participate in a synchronous communication via open and distance learning (ODL) as institutions of higher learning continue to leverage on existing and emerging Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure.

The study investigated the historical evolution, types, and application of ODL in developing countries. The study further looked at components necessary for a functional ODL and the study focused on the status of ODL in Kenya. Therefore, the results of the study show that the design and development of an information and communication technology management system for teaching and learning through ODL delivery is very necessary, viable, and that ODL is a stepping-stone to expanding access to higher education opportunities.