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]
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 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]
As of March 2016, the university has 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]
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]
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]
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.
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.
Kenyatta University offers the following disciplines:
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 KU hospital
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 tussle with the government over university's land.[23] During his suspension, Professor Waceke Wanjohi was appointed to act as the Vice Chancellor.[24] Professor 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][25] There are four Deputy Vice Chancellors and four Registrars, to assist the Vice Chancellor carry 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