The best universities in Kenya are some of the oldest and most prestigious institutions of learning in the country. Having been founded ages ago, they quickly attained reputations as leading centers of advancement of Kenyan society, intellectually, technically, and otherwise.

These universities must now do what is in their power to maintain the reputation they worked so hard to acquire; they must continually improve their facilities, and break new ground in ways of disseminating knowledge and information. This is exactly what Kenya’s top universities have done.

These are some of the universities in Kenya that are leading the way in building the Africa of the future.

Top 10 Best Universities In Kenya 2022

1. University Of Nairobi

The University Of Nairobi formally became an independent university in 1970, although its history goes back to 1956. This is a collegiate university; the various colleges have a great deal of independence in their administration and academic activities.

The University of Nairobi is probably the most popular university in Kenya; due to its history and pedigree, it is the first choice institution for many students in Kenya. The University of Nairobi has around 61,912 students- of that number 49,488 are undergraduates.

Some of the faculties that are very popular in this university include; Education, Business and Management Science, Veterinary Medicine, Social Sciences, Science and Technology, Law, Agriculture, Arts, Engineering, Built Environment and Design, Health Sciences.

Some of the notable products of this great Kenyan university include;

Patrick R. D. Hayford; who was Ghana Ambassador to South Africa, and then later, Director of African Affairs in the Executive Office of United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Kofi Annan (1999–2005).

Wangari Maathai, a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

Maina Kiai; is a human rights activist and UN Special Rapporteur.

Githinji Kiama Gitahi; who is a vastly experienced physician and Global Chief Executive Officer, Amref Health Africa

2. Kenyatta University

Kenyatta University was formally established in its current form in 1985; however, its history goes back to 1965. Kenyatta University is one of the oldest institutions of learning in Kenya; it is also one of the most revered. The institution has a strong inclination towards research, and it is managed and funded by the government.

Some of the popular faculties at this university include; School of Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Public Health, School of Visual And Performing Arts, School of Education, School of Economics, School of Business, School of Agriculture School of Medicine, School of Hospitality & Tourism, and then School of Nursing Sciences.

Some notable products of this university include; Mwai Kibaki – former President of Kenya, (2002 to 2013); Jakaya Kikwete – President of the United Republic of Tanzania, (2005 to 2015); and Daniel arap Moi – former President of Kenya (1978 to 2002)

3. Moi University

Moi University is a top public university in Kenya which was established in 1984. Moi University has about 52,000 students; meaning that it is very popular, and must receive far more applications every year.

Some of the faculties of this university include the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, School of Education, School of Nursing, School of Dentistry, School of Tourism Hospitality and Events Management, School of Medicine, and School of Engineering.

Some notable products of this university include; Peter Kagwanja – notable Kenyan intellectual and Pan-Africanist; Vincent Makori – renown journalist and broadcaster; and Mugo Kibati- CEO of Telkom Kenya.

4. Jomo Kenyatta University Of Agriculture And Technology

Jomo Kenyatta University Of Agriculture And Technology is a public university which was established in 1994. This university was established because there was a great need for the development of Agriculture and technology in the country.

Jomo Kenyatta University is therefore tasked with developing new technology, and new ways farming that will not only ensure food security in the country, but also to make Kenya the technology capital of the Region.

Jomo Kenyatta University’s top faculties include; School of Medicine, School of Pharmacy, School of Electrical, Electronic and Information Engineering, School of Computing and Information Technology. Others include; School of Law, and School of Business.

5. Egerton University

Egerton University was established in 1939. It is the oldest and most historic institution of higher learning in Kenya. Egerton University was established by Baron Maurice Egerton, to help young Europeans prepare for careers in the field of Agriculture.

Times have changed since then, and the university is now open to people of all ethnic groups; nevertheless, Egerton University continues to play a vital role in the development of Kenya.

Some important faculties of the university include; Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Commerce, Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery, Faculty of Education and Community Studies, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Science.

6. Maseno University

Maseno University is a publicly funded university based in the Maseno district of the city of Kisumu, in the country of Kenya. The university was established in 2001, although it had been a part of Moi University for a decade before that. Maseno is quite popular in Kenya; it has more than 10,000 students enrolled.

Maseno University’s most popular faculties include; School of Medicine, School of Education, School of Arts and Social Sciences, School of Agriculture and Food Security, School of Planning and Architecture, School of Nursing, and School of Business and Economics.

The university has been expanding vigorously in its size and scope; it purchased the Kisumu Hotel in 2004 to help it offer practical training in Hotel and Institution management. The university also established an eCampus in 2007 to help it provide a more efficient version of distance learning.

7. Masinde Muliro University Of Science And Technology

Masinde Muliro University Of Science And Technology (MMUST) is a public university; considered to be one of the best universities in Kenya. The institution was established in 2007, and is located in Kakamega, Webuye, and Bungoma. The institution has about 17,000 students.

The university’s most popular faculties in this university include Agriculture, Veterinary Science & Technology; Medicine; Nursing & Midwifery; Business & Economics.

8. Strathmore University

Strathmore University was founded in the year 1961, making it one of the younger universities in Kenya. This institution has in its few years of existence consistently performed as a leading institution in the country; by producing capable and well grounded individuals who are equipped to contribute to the Kenyan society.

Strathmore University is keen on quality; it has a total enrollment of around 5,000 students. The school operates as a non profit but private university founded by the Catholic Church. As at the time of its establishment it was the first institution of higher learning that was open to people regardless of ethnicity.

Some of the best known faculties of this institution include; the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Business School, School of Law, School of Accountancy, School of Graduate Studies, Institute of Mathematical Sciences, and School of Computing and Engineering Sciences.

9. Catholic University Of Eastern Africa

Catholic University Of Eastern Africa is a private university in Kenya that operates several campuses. The university was established in 1984, and is one of the prominent private institutions in the country.

As the name implies; the institution is designed to cater to the educational needs of young people not only in Kenya; but throughout eastern Africa. The Catholic University Of Eastern Africa has around 8,000 students engaged in studies across its faculties which include;

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Education, School of Business, Faculty of Science, Institute of Canon Law, and of course, the Faculty of Theology.

This university is also known to be quite charitable; it offers financial assistance; such as the Cardinal Otunga Scholarship Fund, which provides for those who show academic promise but lack the financial backing to study.

10. Mount Kenya University

Mount Kenya University (MKU) is a private university in Kenya, which was established in 1996. This may be the most successful private institution in Kenya; it has the largest student body in its category; numbering over 52,000.

Mount Kenya University is a multi campus university; it has campuses in Thika (Main) Campus; Mombasa, Nairobi, Parklands, Nakuru, Eldoret, Meru, MKU Rwanda Campus, and a Open Distance and Electronic Learning (ODEL) Center at the main campus.

Some of the popular faculties at this institution are; the Medical School, School of Pharmacy, School of Clinical Medicine, School of Nursing, School of Public Health, School of Business and Economics and the School of Computing and Informatics.

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Finally

The best universities in Kenya earn their reputation for the years of work they have put into the education sector of the country. Many of them have produced prominent citizens, of whom all of Kenya is proud. All categories of institutions are represented on the list of Kenya’s top universities; Private, Public and Non Profit Universities all work together to make Kenya great and academically sound.