Universities in Kenya, Public Universities in Kenya, Private Universities in Kenya

Universities in Kenya

A university is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research, which awards academic degrees in various academic disciplines, universities transform people’s lives through education and through the wider impact of their research. Universities help students to develop the skills and knowledge employers need.

Public Universities in Kenya

1. University of Nairobi

University of Nairobi (UoN) is a collegiate research university based in Nairobi Kenya. It is one of the biggest universities in Kenya. Although its history as an educational institution dates back to 1956, it did not become an independent university until 1970. It was in this year, the University of East Africa was split into three independent universities: Makerere University in Uganda, the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, and the University of Nairobi.

• Address: P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
• Phone: (+254) 020-4910000.
• Email: pr@uonbi.ac.ke

For more information please visit: University of Nairobi

2. Kenyatta University

Kenyatta University is a public university located in Nairobi Kenya. It is the second-largest public university in the country (after the University of Nairobi). The University is located in Kahawa, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Nairobi’s city center, along the Nairobi-Thika road. The history of Kenyatta University began in 1965 when the British Government handed over the Templar Barracks to the newly formed government of Kenya. The Barracks were then changed into a college known as Kenyatta College. Initially, the College was divided into two; the Secondary Education Division and the Teacher Education Division, which started by offering the three-year Post – Ordinary level Secondary Teacher’s Certificate.

• Address: P.O. Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
• Phone: +254 20 870 4000
• Security Hotline: +254 725 471 487/ +254 723 772 305
• Email: info@ku.ac.ke

For more information please visit: Kenyatta University

3. Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology is situated in Juja, 36 kilometers North East of Nairobi, along Nairobi-Thika Highway. It was started in 1981 as a Middle-Level College (Jomo Kenyatta College of Agriculture and Technology (JKCAT)) by the Government of Kenya with assistance from the Japanese Government.

• Address: P.O. Box 62 000 – 00200  Nairobi, Kenya.
• Phone: 067-5870001-5 / 0705950712
• Email: infonbicbd@jkuat.ac.ke

For more information please visit: Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

4. Egerton University

Egerton University is the oldest institution of higher learning in Kenya. It was established as a Farm School in 1939 by Lord Maurice Egerton of Tatton, a British national who settled in Kenya in the 1920s. In 1950, the School was upgraded to an Agricultural College offering diploma programs. The Egerton Agricultural College Ordinance was enacted in 1955. In 1979, the Government of Kenya and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded a major expansion of the institution.

• Address: P.O Box 536 Egerton 20115 Kenya
• Phone: 254-051-2217891 / 254-051-2217781
• Email: info@egerton.ac.ke 

For more information please visit: Egerton University

Universities in Kenya

5. Moi University

Moi University is a public university located in Eldoret town in western Kenya. It was the second public university to be established in Kenya, after the University of Nairobi. It is one of seven fully-fledged public institutions of higher learning in Kenya (others being the University of Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Maseno University, Egerton University, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology and Kenyatta University). It was established in 1984 by the Moi University Act of Parliament after recommendations from the Mackay Commission.

• Address: P. O. Box 3900 – 30100, Kesses, Eldoret
• Phone: +254 790940508
• Email: vcmu@mu.ac.ke

For more information please visit: Moi University

6. Maseno University

Maseno University is a university-based in Maseno, near Kisumu, in Kenya and was founded in 1991. It is one of the seven public universities in Kenya. The University is located in Maseno Township along Kisumu-Busia road, some 25 km from Kisumu City and 400 km west of Nairobi. It has two campuses: the Kisumu campus and the main campus. The main campus is located along Kisumu-Busia road, while the Kisumu campus is located in Kisumu City.

• Address: P.O. Box 3275-40100, Kisumu, Kenya
• Phone: +254 57 351620
• Email: info@maseno.ac.ke

For more information please visit: Maseno University

7. Chuka University

Chuka University is a public university in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. The University has situated approximately 186 km from Nairobi along the Nairobi-Meru highway, in a rural setting on the eastern slopes of Mt. Kenya at an altitude of approximately 2,000 meters above sea level. Chuka University is within Chuka/Igamba-ng’ombe Constituency, Tharaka-Nithi County.

• Address: P. O. Box 109-60400, Chuka, Kenya
• Phone: 0202310512 /0715 50 58 58
• Email:info@chuka.ac.ke

For more information please visit; Chuka University

8. Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology

Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) is situated Bondo Town within Siaya County on Bondo Usenge Road. JOOUST is the successor of Bondo University College (BUC) which was established by the Government of Kenya as a Constituent College of Maseno University through a Legal Order No. 56 of 11th May 2009.

• Address: P.O. Box 210 – 40601 Bondo, Kenya.
• Phone: 057-2501804
• Email: vc@jooust.ac.ke

For more information please visit: Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology

9. Karatina University

Karatina University was established as a full-fledged public university in Kenya through the award of Charter on 1st March 2013. Situated 15km North off Karatina town, the University aspires to be one of the leading institutions of higher learning in Kenya and beyond. Karatina University offers a quality education that is in tandem with the needs and aspirations of the global village as captured in their Vision, Mission, and Core Values.

• Address: P.O. BOX 1957—10101 Karatina, Nyeri
• Phone: (+254) 20 2176 713 / 0729 721 200
• Email: info@karu.ac.ke

For more information please visit: Karatina University

10. Kisii University

Kisii University was founded in 1965 as a Primary Teachers’ Training College on land that was donated by the Gusii County Council. The Primary Teachers’ Training College was upgraded to the status of a Secondary Teacher’s College in 1983 offering an ordinary Diploma program. In 1994, Egerton University took over the college and was offering Post Graduate Diploma in Education up to 2001. In 1999, the first-degree program (Business and Management) was started in the Faculty of Commerce.

• Address: P.O. Box 408 – 40200 Kisii, Kenya.
• Phone: 0720 875 082/0724 607 480
• Email: info@kisiiuniversity.ac.ke

For more information please visit: Kisii University

11. Laikipia University

Laikipia University is a Kenyan University located in Nyahururu. It is the premier university of education (arts) in the country currently. It has seven campuses: Nakuru campus, Embu campus, Nyahururu Town campus, Naivasha campus, Nairobi City Campus (Upper hill TBM Plaza), Mararal campus and Eldoret campus. It was started in April 1929 by a British Colonial farmer cum educationist by the name William Thomas Alfred Levet.

• Address: P.O. Box 1100 – 20300 Nyahururu, Kenya
• Phone: +254(0)729281902 / +254(0)20 267 1779
• Email: raa@laikipia.ac.ke

For more information please visit: Laikipia University

12.  Meru University

Meru University of Science and Technology (MUCST)is a public university near Meru County. It is situated in Nchiru, 15 kilometers northeast of Meru, along the Meru-Makutano-Maua Highway. It offers courses in Engineering, Science, Information Technology and Business. It was established by the Kenya Government under Legal Notice No. 103 of 18th July 2008 as a constituent college of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

• Address: P.O Box,972-60200, Meru, Kenya
• Phone: +254 799 529 958
• Email: info@must.ac.ke

For more information please visit: Meru University

13. Multimedia University of Kenya

The Multimedia University of Kenya (MMU) is a public university located in Nairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya. The university offers ICT and mass media education. It is a constituent college of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and later granted university charter on 1st March 2013 making it one of the fully-fledged Universities in Kenya. Multimedia University of Kenya Main Campus is located in a serene environment 25 Kilometres south of Nairobi along Magadi road, a kilometer away from Ongata Rongai town.

• Address: info@mmu.ac.ke
• Phone: 020 7252000
• Email: P.O BOX 15653- 00503 Nairobi, Kenya
  

For more information please visit: Multimedia University of Kenya

14. Technical University of Mombasa

Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) is a public Technical university located in the coastal city of Mombasa, Kenya. It is one of the National Polytechnics recently elevated to a fully-fledged University in Kenya. It encompasses the many benefits of a small University in the nation’s Island city bordering the great Indian ocean. The various phases it has undergone so far reflect the GOK’s concerted efforts in promoting technical, industrial, vocational and entrepreneurship education and training in line with the dynamic technological and industrial growth in Kenya and in Africa. The origin of TUM can be traced back to the late 1940s as a result of the consultations pioneered by Sir Philip Mitchell in 1948 between The Aga Khan, the Sultan of Zanzibar, the Secretary of State for the colonies, Sir Bernard Reilly and H. M. Treasury.

• Address: P.O. Box 90420 – 80100, Mombasa Kenya
• Phone: (+254) 020-8095365 / +254 733 955 377
• Email: info@tum.ac.ke

For more information please visit: Technical University of Mombasa

15. University of Eldoret

The University of Eldoret is a public university situated approximately 9 Km along the Eldoret-Ziwa road in Eldoret town, Uasin gishu County. The University occupies 1,050 acres of land. It was founded in 1946 by the white settlers as a Large Scale Farmers Training Centre. In 1984, it was converted to a teachers’ training college and renamed Moi Teachers’ Training College to offer Diploma Science Teachers Training. Due to the double intake crisis, the College was taken over by Moi University as a Campus in 1990, renaming it Chepkoilel Campus. From 1990, the University made it a campus of natural, basic and applied for science programs. In August 2010, H.E. The President, through Legal Notice No. 125 of 13th August 2010 upgraded the campus into a University College with the name Chepkoilel University College, a Constituent College of Moi University.

• Address:  P. O. Box 1125-30100 Eldoret, Kenya.
• Phone: +254(0) 788 232 004,
  
• Email: info@uoeld.ac.ke

For more information please visit: University of Eldoret

16. Technical University of Kenya

The Technical University of Kenya (TU-K) is a public university located at Haile Selassie Ave, Nairobi Kenya. The School was established through the elevation of The Kenya Polytechnic University College (KPUC) to full university status. TU-K was established as the first Technical University in Kenya in line with the provisions of the proposed Universities Act, 2012.

• Address: P.O. Box 52428 – 00200 Nairobi- Kenya.
• Phone: +254(020) 2219929, 3341639
• Email: info@tukenya.ac.ke

For more information please visit:  The Technical University of Kenya

17. Pwani University College

Pwani University is a public university in the Kilifi County in Kenya, located 60 km north of Mombasa in the resort town of Kilifi, within the larger Kilifi County. Prior to the award of a Charter, the University was a Constituent College of Kenyatta University. The College formerly the Kilifi Institute of Agriculture was established on 23 August 2007 by an order signed by H.E President Mwai Kibaki.

• Address: P.O Box 195-80108 Mombasa -Malindi Highway; Kilifi County, Kenya
• Phone: +254 725 91 61 45
• Email: info@pu.ac.ke

For more information please visit: Pwani University College

18. Cooperative University College of Kenya

The Cooperative University College of Kenya was founded in 1952 when a training center was established at the then Jeans School in Kabete. This center trained Government Cooperative Inspectors. In 1961, the center was phased out and a school of cooperatives introduced at the Kenya Institute of Administration to train Government officers at both certificate and diploma levels. From 1967, the college has operated as a department of the Ministry of Cooperative Development and Marketing, with its establishment as a body corporate by the Cooperative University College of Kenya Act, 1995. In 1969, construction work at the Lang’ata campus started and the campus opened its doors in 1972, to train government and cooperative employees at both certificate and diploma levels.

• Address: P.O Box 24814-00502, Karen, Nairobi
• Phone: 0724311606,+254 (0)20 2430127
• Email: enquiries@cuk.ac.ke

For more information please visit: Cooperative University College of Kenya

19. Dedan Kimathi University College of Technology

Dedan Kimathi University College of Technology (KUCT) is a public, coeducational technological university located in Nyeri Town. It is one of 19 public universities and constituent colleges in Kenya, one of four constituent colleges of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and it employs a strong emphasis on scientific and technological programs. Dedan Kimathi University of Technology started as a community project in 1972 then known as Kimathi Institute of Technology (KIT), opening doors to its first students in 1978. KIT rapidly emerged as a leading institution in the country in the training of Certified Public Accountants.

• Address: P.O Box 657- 10100, Nyeri, Kenya.
• Phone: +254612050000
• Email: vc@dkut.ac.ke

For more information please visit: Dedan Kimathi University College of Technology

20. Garissa University College

Garissa University College (GUC) is a public university in Garissa County. Garissa University College was founded in 2011 as a constituent college of Moi University, in the facilities of the former Garissa Teachers Training College, Located in Garissa Town. It was the first and only public post-secondary school to offer approved university degree courses in the North Eastern Province. The institution provides courses in the schools of education, information science, and arts and social sciences.

• Address: P.O Box 1801 – 70100, Garissa, Kenya
• Phone: +254721966418/+254721228139
• Email: info@gau.ac.ke

For more information please visit: Garissa University College

21. Kibabii University College

The establishment of Kibabii University College (KIBUCO) is traced to the origins of Kibabii teachers’ training college which is the precursor to the current Kibabii University College. For more than twenty years, the proposed Kibabii Teachers Training College in Bungoma South district remained a mere dream. On 19th September 2007, His Excellency President Mwai Kibaki graciously presided over a groundbreaking ceremony at the proposed site. The History of a Teacher Training College in Kibabii dates back to the pre-independence period. The idea was initiated by the Mill Hill Fathers in 1932. This college trained P4’s between 1932 and 1942 and P3’s between 1958 and 1961 in the current St. Mary’s Kibabii High School. However, the college was moved to Eregi (Eregi Teacher Training College) in 1962.

• Address: P.O. Box 1699-50200 Bungoma – Kenya
• Phone: 0202028660/ 0708085934
• Email: vc@kibu.ac.ke

For more information please visit: Kibabii University College

22. Kirinyaga University

KyU has located approximately 115 Km North East of Nairobi on Sagana – Embu – Highway. It is the successor to Kirinyaga Technical Institute which was conceived by the people of Kirinyaga way back in 1971 when the former head of state His Excellency the President, Hon. Daniel Arap Moi C.G.H., M.P. (then Vice-president) launched the Harambee Fund Raising Drive at the request of Kirinyaga people. Kirinyaga County Council set aside 200 acres of land for the institute at Kutus and 50 more acres were also acquired at the Kangaita area on the slopes of Mt. Kenya. The Institute opened doors to the first students on 2nd March 1977 when 72 students were enrolled, 48 of these students were admitted in the building and construction department while the remaining 24 were enrolled in the clothing and textile technology department. New training programs were introduced in plumbing and Electrical installation in the early and mid-eighties respectively.

• Address: P.O Box 143 – 10300 Kerugoya Kenya
• Phone: +254 709 742000
• Email: info@kyu.ac.ke

For more information please visit: Kirinyaga University

23. Machakos University

Machakos University is a higher education institute with its main campus located along Machakos – Wote road in Machakos town, Machakos County in Kenya. In 1957, the College was founded by the colonial Government as a Technical Rural Training School named Machakos Technical and Trade School. Machakos Technical School was established later in 1967 and Machakos Training Technical Institute in 1987. The Institution was elevated to Machakos University College, a constituent college of Kenyatta University, through Legal Notice No. 130, on 16 September 2011. In October 2016, Machakos University received a charter that allows it to operate as an independent public university. Machakos University mainly offers educational courses, food and beverage courses, engineering courses and secretarial courses among others.

• Address: P.O. BOX 136 – 90100, Machakos County
• Phone: 0723805829
• Email: info@mksu.ac.ke

For more information please visit: Machakos University

24. Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology

Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, formerly Western University College of Science and Technology, is a public university in Kenya. The university is named after Masinde Muliro, a beloved Kenyan politician who helped found the school. Muliro died in 1992. Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology started as Western College of Arts and Applied Sciences. In 1972, former Cabinet Minister Masinde Muliro was the chairman of the project committee. The first students joined in 1977 to study certificate and diploma courses in engineering mechanical, motor vehicle, electrical and electronic agriculture, water, building, architecture, accounting, and finance.

• Address: P. O. BOX 190-50100, Kakamega
• Phone: +254 (0) 702597360/1
• Email: info@mmust.ac.ke 

For more information please visit: Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology

25. South Eastern Kenya University

South Eastern Kenya University is one of the public universities in the country. Its Main Campus is located in Kitui County in a serene and conducive learning environment, 12 Kilometers off Kwa Vonza Market, along the Kitui-Machakos main road. University is a fully-fledged University and is the successor to the South Eastern University College (SEUCO) which was a Constituent College of the University of Nairobi. The University has undergone tremendous growth since inception in 2008. The current student population stands at around 6,000 students. They pride ourselves in having highly qualified teaching staff consisting of Professors and lecturers most of whom have a Ph. D and vast experience in both teaching and research.

• Address: P.O. BOX 170 – 90200 Kitui
• Phone: +254 748 60 59 96/7
• Email: info@seku.ac.ke

For more information please visit: South Eastern Kenya University

26. Taita Taveta University College

Taita Taveta University College is located in Taita Taveta County and it lies between Chyulu Hills National Park, Tsavo East National Park, and Tsavo West National Park. It is located in Voi on the Voi-Mwatate road, 8 Km from the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway Junction.TTU opened her gates in 2007 as Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Taita Taveta Campus and later in 2011 was upgraded to a Constituent until 7th October 2016 when it was given the charter to be a fully-fledged university.

• Address: P.O. Box 635-80300 Voi Kenya
• Phone: +254 20 1234567, +254 20 7654321
• Email: info@ttu.ac.ke

 For more information please visit: Taita Taveta University College

27. Tom Mboya University College

Tom Mboya University one of the public in Kenya. The university was established in 2015 and admitted its first students in January 2016. It is situated in Homa Bay County in the Nyanza region. Tom Mboya University is the first public university to be established in Homa Bay county and has taken over the facilities at the Homa Bay Agricultural Training College.

• Address: P.O. Box 199-40300 C19, Homabay, Kenya
• Phone: 0746401703/0746401706
• Email: info@tmuc.ac.ke

For more information please visit: Tom Mboya University

28. Embu University College

The Embu Agricultural Staff Training (EAST) College was established in 1947 as an agriculture training school for pre-service training at certificate level to Kenya African Preliminary Examination (KAPE) students. Later in 1968, the Centre has renamed the Embu Institute of Agriculture and started admitting secondary school leavers for two-year certificate training as Technical Assistants. In 1990, it was upgraded to an Agricultural Staff Training College whose mandate was to develop and implement short management and technical courses and offer research and consultancy services to enhance performance in the agricultural sector.

• Address: P.O. BOX 6 – 60100 Embu, Kenya.
• Phone: +254-727 933950
• Email: info@embuni.ac.ke

For more information please visit: Embu University College

29. University of Kabianga

The University of Kabianga is located in Kabianga Division in Kericho County. The University is situated in the Kabianga Complex, comprising of the then Kabianga Farmers Training Center, Kabianga High School, and Primary School and the Kipsigis County Council Tea Farm. The Kabianga Complex has along with history. The Government School, Kabianga, was started in 1925. Kabianga Teachers’ Training College existed between 1929 and 1963 when the College was moved to the present Kericho Teachers Training College. After the relocation, Kabianga Farmers Training Centre was established in 1959 at the premises. Its objective was to serve as an Agricultural Training facility for farmers from the South Rift and beyond.

• Address: P.O.BOX 2030 – 20200 Kericho, Kenya
• Phone: +254 20 2172665
• Email: info@kabianga.ac.ke

For more information please visit: University of Kabianga

30. Murang’a University College

Murang’a University College (MRUC) was established in September 2011 via Murang’a University College order legal notice No. 129 of September 2011 as a constituent college of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. MRUC is the successor of Murang’a College of Technology. The University College currently operates under the provision of the Universities Act 2012 CAP 210 B of the laws of Kenya. MRUC is positioning itself to develop a distinctive profile as a progressive and international Technical University, growing its enrolment strategically. Although the University College has just opened its doors to undergraduate students, MRUC remains strongly committed to exploring how best to harness technology to improve the quality of education it offers students.

• Address: Box 75-10200 Muranga, Kenya
• Phone: +254-771-370-824
• Email: info@mut.ac.ke

For more information please visit: Murang’a University College

Private Universities in Kenya

1. Africa International University
2. Africa Nazarene
3.  Kenya Methodist University (KeMU)
4. Daystar University
5. United States International University – USIU
6. Great Lakes University of Kisumu
7.  Kabarak University
8. KCA University
9. Kenya Highlands Evangelical University
10. Mount Kenya University
11. Pan Africa Christian University
12. Scott Christian University
13. St. Pauls University
14. The Management University of Africa
15. University of Eastern Africa, Baraton
16. Adventist University of Africa
17. Aga Khan University
18. Catholic University of Eastern Africa
19. Strathmore University
20. Inoorero University
21. Presbyterian University of East Africa
22. Umma University
23. Gretsa University
24. Pioneer International University
25. Riara University
26.  Hekima University College
27. Marist International University College
28.  Tangaza University College
29. Uzima University College
30. Regina Pacis University College
31. Genco University