It is quite incredible how far higher education in Kenya has come. There was a time when entering a public university in Kenya was akin to winning the lottery. The entry grade to a public university was at least a high-end B+, and there were very few spaces to fight for.
Looking back, we only had six public universities in Kenya, and these were the most sought after:
- The University of Nairobi (UoN) is like the grandfather of them all and was originally a constituent college of the University of East Africa.
- Moi University, established in 1984, served as a landmark in the decentralization of university education.
- Kenyatta University was, and still is, renown for its teacher training and education programs.
- Egerton University, which started as an agricultural college but later evolved into a university offering a wide range of courses.
- Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) which is known for its technocentric nature, focusing heavily on the applied sciences.
- And Maseno University which offers versatile programs and was a pioneer of e-learning.
However, as the nation expanded and more students, especially from underserved regions, began to pursue higher education, everything changed dramatically.
See also: List of Approved TVET Colleges in Kenya
In the 2000s and 2010s, the government upgraded many university colleges and also created new ones to meet the need for higher education and also take education to the grassroot.
Today, Kenya boasts of over 41 public universities strategically located in many counties across the country. This has brought university education closer to home and increased enrolment drastically.
See also: List of KMTC colleges in Kenya, Location and Contacts
List of the Public Universities in Kenya
Here is a list of 41 public universities in Kenya and the counties they are located:
| Name | Initials | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Alupe University | AU | Busia County |
| Bomet University College | BUC | Bomet County |
| Chuka University | CU | Tharaka Nithi County |
| Co-Operative University Of Kenya | COPUK | Nairobi County |
| Dedan Kimathi University Of Technology | DKUT | Nyeri County |
| Egerton University | EU | Nakuru County |
| Garissa University | GU | Garissa County |
| Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University Of Science And Technology | JOOUST | Siaya County |
| Jomo Kenyatta University Of Agriculture And Technology | JKUAT | Kiambu County |
| Kaimosi Friends University | KAFU | Vihiga County |
| Karatina University | KARU | Nyeri County |
| Kenyatta University | KU | Nairobi County |
| Kenyatta University – Mama Ngina University College | MNUC | Kiambu County |
| Kibabii University | KBBU | Bungoma County |
| Kirinyaga University | KYU | Kirinyaga County |
| Kisii University | KSU | Kisii County |
| Koitaleel Samoei University College | KSUC | Nandi County |
| Laikipia University | LU | Laikipia County |
| Maasai Mara University | MMARAU | Narok County |
| Machakos University | MCKU | Machakos County |
| Maseno University | MSU | Kisumu County |
| Masinde Muliro University Of Science & Technology | MMUST | Kakamega County |
| Meru University Of Science And Technology | MUST | Meru County |
| Moi University | MU | Uasin Gishu County |
| Multimedia University Of Kenya | MMU | Nairobi County |
| Murang’a University Of Technology | MUT | Murang’a County |
| Nyandarua University College | NUC | Nyandarua County |
| Open University Of Kenya | OUK | Machakos County |
| Pwani University | PU | Kilifi County |
| Rongo University | RNU | Migori County |
| South Eastern Kenya University | SEKU | Kitui County |
| Taita Taveta University | TTU | Taita Taveta County |
| Technical University Of Kenya | TUK | Nairobi County |
| Technical University Of Mombasa | TUM | Mombasa County |
| Tharaka University | THRKU | Tharaka Nithi County |
| Tom Mboya University | TMU | Homa Bay County |
| Turkana University College | TRUC | Turkana County |
| University Of Eldoret | UOE | Uasin Gishu County |
| University Of Embu | UOEM | Embu County |
| University Of Kabianga | UOK | Kericho County |
| University Of Nairobi | UON | Nairobi County |
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