Kenyatta University

Kenyatta University (KU) is a public research university with its main campus in both Nairobi County and Kiambu County, Kenya[6]. 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.[7]

Kenyatta University
Kenyatta University Logo
Motto in English
Knowledge Is a Source of Strength
TypePublic
Established1985
ChairmanProf. Shem Migot-Adholla[1]
ChancellorBenson Wairegi, BCom, MBA, CPA[2]
Vice-ChancellorProf. Paul Wainaina[3]
Academic staff
1,500+ (2016)[4]
Administrative staff
3,500+ (2015)[5]
Students71,000+ (2016)[4]
Location
Kahawa
,
Nairobi County
,
Kenya

1°10′59″S 36°55′34″E
Campus13 Campuses
LanguageEnglish
ColorsBLUE
AthleticsField activities, Short and long races
NicknameKU
AffiliationsACU,,
Sportsfootball, rugby, swimming, hockey, volleyball, indoors, etc.
MascotLion & Elephant
Websitewww.ku.ac.ke

Location

The main campus of Kenyatta University is at Kahawa, Nairobi County in Kasarani Constituency, approximately 18 kilometres (11 mi), by road, northeast of the central business district of Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya, off of the Nairobi-Thika Road.[8] The coordinates of Kenyatta University main campus are 1°10'50.0"S, 36°55'41.0"E (Latitude:-1.180568; Longitude:36.928042).[9]

The list of KU campuses includes the following locations:[10]

  1. Main Campus - Kahawa, Nairobi
  2. Ruiru Campus - Ruiru
  3. Parkland Campus - Parklands
  4. Kitui Campus - Kwa Vonza
  5. Mombasa Campus - Mombasa
  6. City Centre Campus - Nairobi Central Business District
  7. Nyeri Campus - Nyeri
  8. Nakuru Campus - Nakuru
  9. Kericho Campus - Kericho
  10. Dadaab Campus -Dadaab
  11. Embu Campus - Embu
  12. Arusha Campus - Arusha, Tanzania - Closed
  13. Kigali Campus - Kigali, Rwanda - Closed[11]

History

In 1965, the British government handed over the Templar Barracks in Kahawa, to the newly formed government of Kenya. The barracks were then converted into a college called Kenyatta College. In 1970, Kenyatta College became a constituent college of the University of Nairobi, and its name changed to Kenyatta University College, following an Act of Parliament.

In 1985, it was granted full university status and was renamed Kenyatta University.[12][13]

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 one of the university's campuses.[14]

Academics

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, 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.[15]

Library
A view of Kenyatta University Library from the Central Administration Complex.

Kenyatta University's library is one of the largest in Africa with a vision to bring high quality, scholarly information resources and services to its students and researchers[16]. In addition to lending services, the library offers E-services and has branches in the respective satellite campuses. The library is open from 8:00 a.m – 12:00 midnight from Mondays to Fridays and from 8:00 a.m – 10:00 p.m. on weekends.

Schools and institutes

As of March 2016, the university maintains the following schools:[17]

School of Humanities and Social Sciences (2002) School of Public Health (2004)
School of Visual And Performing Arts (2008) School of Business(2005)
School of Education (1970) School of Economics (1998)
School of Pure And Applied Sciences(2003) School of Agriculture and Enterprise Development(1984)
School of Engineering And Technology (1985) School of Law - Parklands(2009)
School of Environmental Studies (2003) School of Medicine (2011)
School of Hospitality & Tourism(2010) School of Virtual & Open Learning(2011)
School of Architecture and the Built Environment (2016) - Ruiru Campus School of Creative, Film and Media Studies (2015) - Ruiru Campus
School of Nursing Sciences (2017) School of Security, Diplomacy and Peace Studies(2018)


Institutes and centers

The university hosts institutes and centers such as;

  1. Confucius Institute at Kenyatta University,
  2. Africa Centre for Transformative and Inclusive Leadership (ACTIL)
  3. Chandaria Business Innovations and Incubation Centre (CBIIC)
  4. Center for Refugee Studies and Empowerment
  5. Cisco Networking Academy

Degrees and courses

The following courses are offered by the university and accredited by the Commission for University Education in Kenya (CUE)[18]

Doctorates and PhD - 14

Master's degree - 94

Bachelor's degree - 117

Postgraduates Diploma - 12

Student life

International students

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.

Athletics

Kenyatta University partnered with IAAF as an athletics-village in the 2017 world under 18 championship Nairobi.[19] The athletes were hosted in the Nyayo hostels and used the campus facilities for training.

Kenyatta University offers the following disciplines:

Men's sports

Football, rugby, hockey, volleyball, netball, handball, basketball, tennis, table tennis, squash, badminton, chess, scrabble, darts, boxing, bodybuilding, taekwondo, swimming, athletics (track and field), scrabble, karate, Roll Ball, woodball, judo, wrestling, Goalball, baseball, softball.

Women's sports

Football, rugby, hockey, volleyball, netball, handball, basketball, tennis, table tennis, squash, badminton, chess, scrabble, darts, boxing, fitness modelling, Taekwondo, swimming, athletics (track and field), Scrabble, Karate, Roll Ball, woodball, Judo, goalball, baseball, softball Seminars Short – term Courses in coaching, Sports management, training and Sports leadership are offered.

Sports facilities
  • Two swimming pools
  • One gymnasium
  • Five soccer fields
  • Eight tennis courts
  • Four volleyball courts
  • One rugby field
  • Two badminton courts
  • One squash court
  • Three netball fields
  • Two athletics & track fields(IAAF Track)
  • Three handball courts
  • Two hockey fields
  • Four basketball courts
  • Two common rooms for indoor sports & board games.

Sports achievements
  • 2012 - National Champions, Kenya University Women's Games
  • 2011 - National Champions, Kenya University Games
  • 2010 - 3rd Best University, East Africa University Games
  • 2009 - National Champions, Kenya University Games
  • 2006 - 6th Best University, East Africa University Games
  • 2004 - 2nd Best University, East Africa University Games

Alumni

The following individuals are some of the "prominent alumni" at the Kenyatta University website:[20] .

  • Mwai Kibaki - former President of Kenya, 2002 to 2013
  • Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka - former Vice President of Kenya
  • Jakaya Kikwete - President of the United Republic of Tanzania, 2005 to 2015
  • Daniel arap Moi - former President of Kenya, 1978 to 2002
  • Benjamin Mkapa - former President of Tanzania, 1995 to 2005
  • Dr. Harris Mule - former Chancellor of Kenyatta University
  • Dr. Mostafa Tolba - former Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme
  • Dr. Geoffrey William Griffin - founder Director of Starehe Boys' Centre and School
  • Dr. James Mwangi - Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Equity Bank Group
  • Dr. Eddah Gachukia - Academic Director, Riara Group of Schools
  • Esther Ngumbi – Entomologist and winner of the 2018 Society for Experimental Biology Presidential Award
  • Professor Michael Bernard Kwesi - Professor, Department of Geography, Kenyatta University
  • Professor John Mutio - former Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Kenyatta University
  • Lawrence M. Mungai - former Registrar of Kenyatta University College
  • Professor James M. Waithaka - Professor and Deputy Principal, Kenyatta University College
  • Professor J. M. Mungai - former Vice-Chancellor, University of Nairobi.
  • Phillip Ndegwa - founding Chairman, Kenyatta University Council, 1985 to 1994.
  • Onesmo K. ole-MoiYoi - former Chairman, Kenyatta University Council, 1994 to 2010.
  • Daudi Kabaka - musician and Band Leader of Kenyatta University Band.

Notable staff and professors
  1. Prof Ahmed Hasanali - Professor (Chemical Ecology & Bioprospecting), ICIPE
  2. 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
  3. Prof. Edward Waswa Kisiang'ani - Historian, Political analyst/scientist and strategist.
  4. Prof Olive Mugenda - Former Vice-Chancellor (2009-2016), Board Chair KU hospital.

Management
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. He replaced 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.[3][21] 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: TBD
  • DVC Finance and Development: Professor Godfrey Mse
  • DVC Research, Innovation & Outreach: Professor F.K Gravenir

Businesses and investments

The university owns and operates the following income-generating businesses and investments:[22]

  1. Kenyatta University Funeral Home
  2. North Coast Beach Hotel - Mombasa
  3. Uni-City Shopping Mall & Office Complex - Nairobi
  4. Kenyatta University Conference Center - Nairobi (100 rooms)
  5. Kenyatta University Bookstore - Nairobi
  6. Television station KUTV
  7. Kenyatta University Children's Hospital - Nairobi (Under construction)
  8. Kenyatta University Dairy Farm - (In development)
  9. Kenyatta University Hospital[23] (KUH)

Views 2016
  • Kenyatta University, the main entrance, Nairobi 2016
  • Kenyatta University, the main library, Nairobi 2016
  • Kenyatta University, the Campanile, Nairobi 2016
  • Kenyatta University, the Central Administration Complex, Nairobi 2016
  • Kenyatta University, the student's computer centre, Nairobi 2016
  • Kenyatta University, the Education Building, Nairobi 2016
gollark: Write access, obviously.
gollark: Sounds overcomplicated for the uselessness of mouse_hover. We need computer_is_observed more.
gollark: I wanted to know which part of the screen specifically, which I assume is possible with an entity sensor.
gollark: Yes, that is a good idea which I should work on.
gollark: Oh, right.

References
  1. http://www.ku.ac.ke/ku/item/479-change-of-guard-at-kenyatta-university-council
  2. Manyuira, Wilson (September 11, 2013). "Kenyatta University Commissions First Uni City Development". 98.4 Capital FM (Nairobi). Retrieved December 1, 2014.
  3. Wanzala, Ouma (February 8, 2018). "Five confirmed as vice-chancellors". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  4. Njoroge, Kiarie (May 22, 2016). "KU offers Mugenda job as chief of healthcare". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  5. Wanzala, Ouma (December 3, 2015). "KU seeks applications for vice-chancellor to replace Olive Mugenda". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  6. "Commission for University Education - Status Of Universities (Universities Authorized to Operate in Kenya) - Status Of Universities (Universities Authorized to Operate in Kenya)". www.cue.or.ke. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  7. Nganga, Gilbert (October 2, 2011). "Kenya: Double Student Intake Kicks Off At Kenyatta". University World News (UWN). Retrieved December 1, 2014.
  8. GFC (March 25, 2016). "Distance between Nairobi Central, Nairobi, Kenya and AIESEC Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya". Globefeed.com (GFC). Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  9. Google (March 25, 2016). "Location of Kenyatta University Main Campus" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  10. KU (March 25, 2016). "The Campuses of Kenyatta University". Nairobi: Kenyatta University (KU). Archived from the original on March 21, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  11. Mutegi, Mugambi. "Kenyatta University to open Rwanda campus next year". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi.
  12. KU (March 25, 2016). "Short History of Kenyatta University". Nairobi: Kenyatta University (KU). Archived from the original on April 5, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  13. "Kenyatta University Act". Act of 1985 (PDF).
  14. Baker, Peter (July 26, 2015). "Obama Delivers Tough-Love Message to End Kenya Trip". The New York Times. New York City. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  15. KU (June 7, 2013). "Accreditation of Kenyatta University". Nairobi: Kenyatta University (KU). Archived from the original on April 28, 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  16. "The 10 most beautiful universities in Africa". Times Higher Education (THE). November 23, 2018. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  17. KU (August 22, 2013). "The Schools of Kenyatta University". Nairobi: Kenyatta University (KU). Archived from the original on April 1, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  18. "Programmes developed and mounted by Universities in Kenya in accordance with the Universities Act". www.cue.or.ke. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  19. "IAAF World U18 Championships Nairobi 2017". www.wu18nairobi2017.com. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  20. KU (March 25, 2016). "Kenyatta University: Alumni Board Members". Nairobi: Kenyatta University (KU). Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  21. Mugambi Mutegi, and Kiarie Njoroge (March 25, 2016). "My track record speaks for itself, says Prof Mugenda". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  22. Mutegi, Mugambi (March 23, 2016). "KU plans diversifying into commercial dairy farming". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  23. "Kenyatta University Teaching Research & Referral Hospital". kuh.co.ke. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
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