Kenyatta University
Entrance to Nairobi railway station in 1899.
Established as a university in 1985, Kenyatta University (KU), a renowned public research institution, is located in Nairobi, Kenya. It followed the University of Nairobi (1970) and Moi University (1984) in gaining university status. By October 2014, it was one of Kenya’s 23 public universities.
A panorama taken from the Westlands area of Nairobi.
The university’s primary campus spans over 1,000 acres in Kahawa, part of the Kasarani Sub-county to the north of Nairobi City County. It’s situated approximately 17.5 kilometers northeast of Nairobi’s central business district, near the Nairobi-Thika Road.
KU encompasses several campuses:
- Main Campus in Kahawa, Nairobi
- Ruiru, Parklands, Kitui, Mombasa, Nairobi Central Business District, Nyeri, Nakuru, Kericho, Dadaab, and Embu Campuses
- The Arusha and Kigali campuses in Tanzania and Rwanda were closed in 2018.
The institution’s beginnings trace back to 1965 when the British government transferred the Templar Barracks in Kahawa to Kenya’s government. The site was initially Kenyatta College, offering A-Level education and some undergraduate diploma courses. In 1978, it evolved into Kenyatta University College, a premier teacher training institution in Kenya, and became Kenyatta University in 1985.
Kenyatta University received a visit from U.S. President Barack Obama in 2015, whose family roots trace back to Kenya.
Rival school University of Nairobi.
As of March 2016, the university offers various bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees across 12 campuses, including in fields like medicine and law. It emphasizes diverse learning methods including open, e-learning, and part-time education. The institution is recognized by various educational and professional bodies.
The university’s library, one of Africa’s largest, provides comprehensive resources and services. It maintains branches in different campuses.
Kenyatta University houses numerous schools and institutes, such as:
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
- Schools of Humanities and Social Sciences, Public Health, Visual and Performing Arts, Business, Education, Economics, Pure and Applied Sciences, Agriculture and Enterprise Development, Engineering and Technology, Law, Environmental Studies, Medicine, Hospitality & Tourism, Virtual & Open Learning, Architecture and the Built Environment, Creative, Film and Media Studies, Nursing Sciences, and Security, Diplomacy and Peace Studies.
- Institutes and centers like the Confucius Institute, Africa Centre for Transformative and Inclusive Leadership, Chandaria Business Innovations and Incubation Centre, and others.
The university offers a broad spectrum of degree and diploma courses and is a hub for international students and collaborative programs.
Athletics are a significant part of student life, with KU hosting various sports facilities and participating in numerous national and regional sports events.
Notable alumni include former Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and other distinguished leaders and professionals from various fields.
The university’s management is overseen by Chancellor Benson Wairegi and Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Wainaina, with a team of deputy vice chancellors and registrars supporting the administration.