Kenyatta University (KU) is a public research university with its main campus in Nairobi, Kenya.[7] It acquired the status of university in 1985, being the third university after University of Nairobi (1970) and Moi University (1984). As of October 2014, it was one of 23 public universities in the country.[8]
Ruiru Campus was renamed as Kenyatta Model School for play groups, pre-primary and primary learners in 2024. The Arusha and Kigali campuses in Tanzania and Rwanda respectively were closed in 2018.[12]
History
In 1965, the British government handed over the Templar Barracks in Kahawa, to the newly formed government of Kenya. The southern part of the facility remains in military use, as the Kahawa Barracks. The other part of the barracks were converted into a college called Kenyatta College, which offered Advanced Level (A-Level) secondary education at Form 5 and 6 level, as well as some undergraduate diploma courses. In 1978 the entire Faculty of Education of the University of Nairobi was transferred to Kenyatta College, and its name was changed to Kenyatta University College, following an Act of Parliament. The school became the only institution in Kenya training teachers at the degree level, and discontinued all other courses. Degrees offered at Kenyatta were in the name of the University of Nairobi.
In 1985, it was granted full university status and was renamed Kenyatta University.[13][14]
U.S. President Barack Obama, whose late father, Barack Obama, Sr. (an economist) and paternal relatives are from Kenya, visited Kenya in 2015. While there, he visited the university's main campus.[15]
Academics
As of March 2016, the university had 12 campuses offering bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and doctoral degrees. The degrees awarded include those in medicine and law. The university has open-learning, e-learning which is known as the digital school,[16] school-based, part-time and full-time teaching. Kenyatta University is accredited by the Kenya Commission of University Education, the Inter-University Council for East Africa, the Africa Association of Universities, the International Association of Universities and the Commonwealth Universities.[17]
Library
A view of Kenyatta University Library from the Central Administration Complex
Kenyatta University's library is one of the largest in Africa and offers scholarly information resources and services to its students and researchers.[18] In addition to lending services, the library offers E-services and has branches in the respective satellite campuses.[19]
Schools and institutes
As of April 2024[update], the university maintains the following schools:
School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
School of Business, Economics and Tourism
School of Education
School of Pure And Applied Sciences
School of Law, Arts and Social Sciences
School of Health Sciences
Digital School of Virtual & Open Learning
School of Engineering and Architecture
Graduate School
Institutes and centers
The university hosts institutes and centers including:
Confucius Institute at Kenyatta University
Africa Centre for Transformative and Inclusive Leadership (ACTIL)
Chandaria Business Innovations and Incubation Centre (CBIIC)
Center for Refugee Studies and Empowerment
Cisco Networking Academy
Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development
Center for International Programmes and Collaboration (CIPC)
Centre for Gender Equity & Empowerment
National Phytotherapeutics Research Centre
Degrees and courses
The university offers 14 doctorate and PhD courses, 94 master's degree courses, 117 bachelor's degree courses and 12 postgraduate diploma courses as accredited by the Commission for University Education in Kenya (CUE).[20]
Student life
International students
The Centre for International Programmes and Collaboration is a unit under the office of the vice chancellor, responsible for coordinating international activities, collaborations and linkages.
Athletics
Kenyatta University partnered with IAAF as an athletics-village in the 2017 world under 18 championship Nairobi.[21] The athletes were hosted in the Nyayo hostels and used the campus facilities for training.
2012 - National Champions, Kenya University Women's Games
2011 - National Champions, Kenya University Games
2010 - 3rd Best University, East Africa University Games
2009 - National Champions, Kenya University Games
2006 - 6th Best University, East Africa University Games
2004 - 2nd Best University, East Africa University Games
Management
Kenyatta University Central Administration parking lot. The Junior Library and Education building can be seen in the background.
The chancellor is Benson Wairegi. The vice chancellor is Professor Paul Wainaina, who was reinstated on November 3, 2022, after being suspended on July 12, 2022, due to a dispute with the government over the university's land.[22] During his suspension, Professor Waceke Wanjohi was appointed to act as the vice chancellor.[23] Wainaina had succeeded Professor Olive Mugenda, the first female vice chancellor of a public university in Kenya, who retired after the end of her tenure in January 2016.[4][24] There are four deputy vice chancellors and four registrars, to assist the vice chancellor in carrying out his mandate.
The deputy vice chancellors are:
DVC Academic Affairs: Professor John Okumu
DVC Administration: Professor Fatuma Chege
DVC Finance and Development: Professor Godfrey Mse
DVC Research, Innovation & Outreach: Professor F.Q Gravenir
Businesses and investments
The university owns and operates the following income-generating businesses and investments:[25]
Prof. Mike Boit - sports science, former athlete; received an honorary Doctorate of Science (DSc) from the University of Glasgow in recognition of his contributions to the academic research of sports and its development in Kenya 2014
Ambassador Joseph Magutt - Kenya's ambassador to the Republic of Germany
Prof. Olive Mugenda - former vice-chancellor (2009-2016), board chair of KU Kospital
