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Top 10 Best Universities in Kenya

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University of Nairobi tops the list of top ten best Universities in Kenya. Recently, President Uhuru Kenyatta had to provide a directive stopping the establishment of more universities in Kenya. There are many higher institutions of learning but only a few are recognized universities in Kenya. Rankings of Kenyan Universities from the best to worst have been provided over the years. Below are the best institutions as borrowed from a compiled list of best Kenyan University ranking in 2017.

List of Top 10 Best Universities in Kenya

  1. University of Nairobi (UoN)

UoN was founded in 1956 as the Royal Technical College but in 1970 it changed its name to what it is known today. It remained the only higher institution of learning for several years. It has been ranked the best University in Kenya owing to its numerous achievements in research, teaching, and development and 7th in Africa. This institution still emerges top even with the ranking of Kenyan universities academically. The public institution has branch campuses in Nairobi, Kikuyu, Kabete, and Kisumu. It has over 80,000 students. Notable alumni are the late Wangari Maathai, former chief justice Willy Mutunga, and Anne Waiguru, the former Cabinet Secretary for Devolution and Planning. The vice-chancellor is Professor Peter Mulwa Felix Mbithi. 

  1. Kenyatta University (KU)

KU was founded in 1985. Initially, this institution had a college status by the name Kenyatta College but its name changed to Kenyatta University College in1970. The institution gained a university status in 1985. It has branch campuses in over five major towns in Kenya as well as Arusha and Kigali. As of 2016, there were nineteen schools offering numerous courses and the student numbers stood at 71,000. This institution is perhaps popular for its impressive architecture. Notable alumni are Fred Matiang’i the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Peter Kagwanja, a Kenyan intellectual and reform activist. The vice-chancellor is Professor Paul Wainaina. 

  1. Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)

JKUAT is a public university that was established in 1994. It is situated along the Nairobi-Thika Superhighway and it mainly offers courses in technology, Science, Architecture, and Building sciences. JKUAT is perhaps one of the best engineering universities in Kenya. Notable alumnus is Njoroge Kamau, the founder of Ignite Kenya and Beyond. The vice-chancellor is Professor Mabel O. Imbuga. 

  1. Moi University

This is a public university that was founded in 1984. It is one of the first Universities to be established in Kenya. This institution established the school of medicine in 1996, making it the second institution in Kenya after Nairobi University.  This institution has a large enrollment of over 30,000 and offers thirteen degree programs. Notable alumni are Aden Duale, the Majority leaders in Kenya’s 11th Parliament and Mildred Barya, a Ugandan writer and poet. The acting vice-chancellor is Laban Ayiro.

  1. Egerton University

This institution was officially recognized as a chartered public university in 1987. This public institution has initially been formed under the name Egerton Farm School. Its main campus is in Njoro. Notable alumni is The vice-chancellor is Professor Rose Awuor Mwonya.

  1. Strathmore University

Founded in 2002, Strathmore University is a private higher institution of learning. It started as Strathmore College in 1961. This institution is particularly popular for offering CPA accounting program.  The institution has ten schools and has a small enrollment, less than 5,000 students, and it offers numerous courses at various levels of learning. Notable alumnus is Samuel Motari, a rugby 7’s player. The vice-chancellor is Professor John Odhiambo.

  1. Maseno University

The institution was founded in 1991 and it was not until 2000 that it became a fully-fledged university. The institution has branch campuses in Kisumu and Homa-Bay. The institution has a small enrollment number, less than 5000 students. The vice-chancellor is Professor Julius Omondi Nyabundi.s 

  1. Daystar University

This is a private university that was established in 1989. The institution was initially known as Daystar Communications. The institution has five schools and the student population is about 5,000. The institution has two Campus branches: Nairobi and Athi River campus. The vice-chancellor is Professor S. Talitwala.

  1. United States International University-Africa (USIU Africa)

USIU is a private higher institution of learning founded in 1989. It was initially established under the name Nairobi Campus of United States but in 1999, USIU Nairobi Campus was established under the name USIU Africa. It has a student population of over 8,500 in 2016. The vice-chancellor is Paul Tiyambe Zeleza.

10. Technical University of Kenya

This institution was first established in 1961 as Kenya Technical Institute. Its name was later changed to Kenya Polytechnic University College in 2007 and later Technical University College in 2013. The institution has ten schools organized under three categories. Kenya Polytechnic had been one of the top colleges in Kenya before the status upgrade. The vice-chancellor is Francis Aduol.

The above list presents private and public universities in Kenya and courses offered currently. This ranking may change since each institution is working towards emerging top.

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