A list of Kenya Universities and Programes provided

Commission for University Education

Universities Authorized to Operate in Kenya, 2013

The higher education fraternity has undergone tremendous transformation in the recent past. Key
among them is the enactment of Universities Act No. 42 of 2012 which commenced on 12th
December 2012.
This brought the establishment, governance and administration of universities under same legal
framework. This caused repealing of Acts of Parliament for seven (7) universities which
operated under individual Acts. The new law also caused some public university constituent
colleges operating under Legal Orders to be upgraded to full-fledged public universities.
Various categories of universities authorized to operate in Kenya are as indicated below:
Public Universities
Prior to 13th December 2012, public universities were established through individual Acts of
Parliament. Following enactment of universities Act No. 42 of 2012, the public universities have
since been established through the award of charter. All individual Acts were repealed and the
previous public universities re-accredited through charter award after institutional quality audits.

Below is the list of public universities that have been fully accredited as of 30th June 2013.

Public Chartered Universities

1.  University of Nairobi (UoN)  - Established - 1970 Chartered - 2013
2.  Moi University (MU)    -Established - 1984 Chartered - 2013
3.  Kenyatta University (KU)  - Established - 1985 Chartered - 2013
4.  Egerton University (EU)  -  Established - 1987 Chartered - 2013
5.  Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology  (JKUAT)   - Established - 1994
     Chartered - 2013
6.  Maseno University (Maseno)    - Established - 2001 Chartered - 2013
7.  MasindeMuliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST)   -  Established - 2007
     Chartered - 2013
8.  DedanKimathi University of Technology 9.  Chuka University  
10.  Technical University of Kenya
11.  Technical University of Mombasa
12.  Pwani University
13.  Kisii University  
14.  University of Eldoret 
15.  Maasai Mara University
16.  JaramogiOgingaOdinga University of Science and Technology  
17.  Laikipia University
18.  South Eastern Kenya University  
19.  Meru University of Science and Technology
20.  Multimedia University of Kenya  
21.  University of Kabianga
22.  Karatina University

Public University Constituent Colleges:

These are established by a Legal Order upon satisfying set minimum standards by the
Commission for University Education. These are:

Public University Constituent Colleges
Murang’a University College (JKUAT)
 Machakos University College (KU)
The Co-operative University College of Kenya (JKUAT)  
Embu University College (UoN)  
Kirinyaga University College (JKUAT)  
Rongo University College (MU)  
KibabiiUniverstity College (MMUST) 
Garissa University College (MU)
TaitaTaveta University College (JKUAT)

Chartered Private Universities:

These are universities that have met the set standards for full university accreditation status.

Private Chartered Universities
1.  University of Eastern Africa, Baraton
2.  Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) 
3.  Daystar University    
4.  Scott Christian University  1997
5.  United States International University  
6.  Africa Nazarene University  
7.  Kenya Methodist University  
8.  St. Paul’s University
9.  Pan Africa Christian University  
10.  Strathmore University
11.  Kabarak University  
12.  Mount Kenya University  
13.  Africa International University  
14.  Kenya Highlands Evangelical University
15.  Great Lakes University of Kisumu
16.  KCA University 
17.  Adventist University of Africa

Private University Constituent Colleges

Private University Constituent Colleges
1.  Hekima University College (CUEA)
2.  Tangaza University College (CUEA) 
3.  Marist International University College (CUEA)
4.  Regina Pacis University College (CUEA)
5.  Uzima University College (CUEA)

Private Universities with Letter of Interim Authority (LIA)

The universities operating with Letters of Interim Authority (LIA) from CUE receive guidance
and direction to continue developing resources and facilities towards full university accreditation
(Award of Charter)/status. They are allowed to admit students for the approved programmes. The
universities in these categories are:

Institutions with Letter of Interim Authority
Kiriri Women’s University of Science and Technology
Aga Khan University
GRETSA University
UMMA University
Presbyterian University of East Africa  
Inoorero University  
The East African University  
GENCO University  
Management University of Africa  
Riara University
Pioneer International University

Registered Private Universities

These came into existence before the establishment of the Commission for Higher Education in
1985 which has since transformed to Commission for University Education (CUE 2012). They
are at various stages of development of resources and facilities for full university accreditation
(Award of charter).
Registered Private Institutions:
1.  Nairobi International School of Theology
2.  East Africa School of Theology

• Check out the Academic Programmes Approved by the Commission for University Education