The University of Nairobi (uonbi or UoN; ) is a collegiate

research university A research university or a research-intensive university is a university that is committed to research as a central part of its mission. They are the most important sites at which knowledge production occurs, along with "intergenerational kn ...

based in

Nairobi Nairobi ( ) is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The name is derived from the Maasai phrase ''Enkare Nairobi'', which translates to "place of cool waters", a reference to the Nairobi River which flows through the city. The city proper ...

. It is the largest

university A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United Stat ...

Kenya ) , national_anthem = " Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi , ...

. Although its history as an

educational institution An educational institution is a place where people of different ages gain an education, including preschools, childcare, primary-elementary schools, secondary-high schools, and universities. They provide a large variety of learning environments a ...

dates back to 1956, it did not become an independent university until 1970. During that year, the University of East Africa was split into three independent universities:

Makerere University Makerere University, Kampala (; Mak) is Uganda's largest and oldest institution of higher learning, first established as a technical school in 1922. It became an independent national university in 1970. Today, Makerere University is composed of n ...

Uganda }), is a landlocked country in East Africa. The country is bordered to the east by Kenya, to the north by South Sudan, to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the south-west by Rwanda, and to the south by Tanzania. The ...

, the University of Dar es Salaam in

Tanzania Tanzania (; ), officially the United Republic of Tanzania ( sw, Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania), is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lakes region. It borders Uganda to the north; Kenya to the northeast; Comoro Islands ...

, and the University of Nairobi in Kenya. During the 2011 academic year, the university had 61,912 students, of whom 49,488 were

undergraduates Undergraduate education is education conducted after secondary education and before postgraduate education. It typically includes all postsecondary programs up to the level of a bachelor's degree. For example, in the United States, an entry- ...

and 12,424 postgraduates. The university launched several policy frameworks and introduced self-funded enrollment (also called 'module 2') to cope with the rising demand for

higher education in Kenya Education in Kenya refers to the education system in Kenya. It is considered a basic right that should be offered to every individual. Education in Kenya predates to as early as the 18th century among the Swahili people. The earliest school was ...

. As of 2022, University of Nairobi reported that it had more than 84,000 enrolled students.

Establishment

The inception of the University of Nairobi dates back to 1956, with the establishment of the Royal Technical College, which admitted its first group of

A-level The A-Level (Advanced Level) is a subject-based qualification conferred as part of the General Certificate of Education, as well as a school leaving qualification offered by the educational bodies in the United Kingdom and the educational au ...

graduates for technical courses in April the same year. The Royal Technical College was transformed into the second university college in

East Africa East Africa, Eastern Africa, or East of Africa, is the eastern subregion of the African continent. In the United Nations Statistics Division scheme of geographic regions, 10-11-(16*) territories make up Eastern Africa: Due to the historica ...

on 25 June 1961 by the Scottish mathematician Professor

James Morton Hyslop James Morton Hyslop FRSE FRSA LLD (1908–1984) was a Scottish mathematician and educationalist primarily linked to South Africa. He founded the Royal College of Nairobi in 1961. Life He was born in Dumbarton on 12 September 1908 the son of Wi ...

, formerly of the University of Witwatersrand under the name Royal College of Nairobi. It joined the

University of London The University of London (UoL; abbreviated as Lond or more rarely Londin in post-nominals) is a federal public research university located in London, England, United Kingdom. The university was established by royal charter in 1836 as a degr ...

's 'schemes of special relations' and began preparing students in the faculties of Arts,

Science Science is a systematic endeavor that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe. Science may be as old as the human species, and some of the earliest archeological evidence ...

and

Engineering Engineering is the use of scientific principles to design and build machines, structures, and other items, including bridges, tunnels, roads, vehicles, and buildings. The discipline of engineering encompasses a broad range of more speciali ...

for University of London award degrees. Meanwhile, students in other faculties such as the Faculty of Special Professional Studies (later renamed Faculty of Commerce) and Faculty of

Architecture Architecture is the art and technique of designing and building, as distinguished from the skills associated with construction. It is both the process and the product of sketching, conceiving, planning, designing, and constructing buildings ...

continued to offer diplomas for qualifications of professional bodies/institutions. On 20 May 1964, the Royal College of Nairobi was renamed University College Nairobi as a constituent college of the Federal University of East Africa. During this time, enrolled students studied for college degrees awarded by the University of East Africa instead of the University of London. In 1970, it transformed into the first

national university A national university is mainly a university created or managed by a government, but which may also at the same time operate autonomously without direct control by the state. Some national universities are associated with national cultural or po ...

Kenya ) , national_anthem = " Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi , ...

and was renamed the University of Nairobi. The university tops in Kenya's university ranking. It is ranked 7th in

Africa Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both cases. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area ...

and 1698 in the world according to

Webometrics Ranking of World Universities The Webometrics Ranking of World Universities, also known as Ranking Web of Universities, is a ranking system for the world's universities based on a composite indicator that takes into account both the volume of the Web content (number of web page ...

History

The idea of an institution for higher learning in

Kenya ) , national_anthem = " Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi , ...

goes back to 1947 when the Kenya government drew up a plan for the establishment of a technical and commercial institute in Nairobi. By 1949, this plan had grown into a concept aimed at providing higher technical education for Kenya. In September 1951, a Royal Charter was issued to the Royal Technical College, Nairobi and the foundation stone of the

college A college (Latin: ''collegium'') is an educational institution or a constituent part of one. A college may be a degree-awarding tertiary educational institution, a part of a collegiate or federal university, an institution offerin ...

was laid in April 1952. During the same period, the Asian Community of

Kenya ) , national_anthem = " Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi , ...

was also planning to build a college for Arts,

and

Commerce Commerce is the large-scale organized system of activities, functions, procedures and institutions directly and indirectly related to the exchange (buying and selling) of goods and services among two or more parties within local, regional, natio ...

as a memorial to

Mahatma Gandhi Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (; ; 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948), popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist Quote: "... marks Gandhi as a hybrid cosmopolitan figure who transformed ... anti- ...

. To avoid duplication of efforts, Gandhi Memorial Academy Society partnered with

Kenya ) , national_anthem = " Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi , ...

n Governments. Thus, the Gandhi Memorial Academy was incorporated into the Royal Technical College,

in April 1954, and the college proceeded to open its doors to the first intake of students in April 1956. Soon after the arrival of students at the college, the pattern of higher education in

Kenya ) , national_anthem = " Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi , ...

came under scrutiny. Through the recommendation of a working party formed in 1958, chaired by the

Vice-Chancellor A chancellor is a leader of a college or university, usually either the executive or ceremonial head of the university or of a university campus within a university system. In most Commonwealth and former Commonwealth nations, the chancellor ...

of the

, Sir John Lockwood, the Royal Technical College, Nairobi was transformed. On 25 June 1961, the college became the second

university college In a number of countries, a university college is a college institution that provides tertiary education but does not have full or independent university status. A university college is often part of a larger university. The precise usage varies ...

in East Africa, under the name "Royal College Nairobi." The Royal College Nairobi was renamed "University College, Nairobi" on 20 May 1964. On the attainment of "University College" status, the institution prepared students for bachelor's degrees awarded by the

, while also continuing to offer college diploma programmes. The University College Nairobi provided educational opportunities in this capacity until 1966 when it began preparing students exclusively for degrees of the University of East Africa, with the exception of the Department of Domestic Science. With effect from 1 July 1970, the University of East Africa was dissolved and the three African countries of Kenya,

and

each had its own national universities. This development saw the birth of the University of Nairobi set up by an

Act of Parliament Acts of Parliament, sometimes referred to as primary legislation, are texts of law passed by the legislative body of a jurisdiction (often a parliament or council). In most countries with a parliamentary system of government, acts of parliame ...

.Since 1970, the university had grown from a faculty based university serving a student population of 2,768 to a college focused university serving over 68,000 students.

Profile

It is a body corporate established under the

Universities Act Universities Act (with its variations) is a stock short title used in Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom for legislation relating to universities. List Canada British Columbia * University Act Malaysia *The Universities and U ...

2012 of the Laws of Kenya and the Charter. Through module II and III programmes, opportunity has been opened to thousands of

Kenyans The demography of Kenya is monitored by the Kenyan National Bureau of Statistics. Kenya is a multi-ethnic state in East Africa. Its total population was at 47 558,296 as of the 2019 census. A national census was conducted in 1999, although the ...

and foreigners especially from Sudan, on a paying basis, who meet university admission requirements, but who have not been able to access university education due to restricted intake into the regular programmes that is determined by limited resource allocation by

Government A government is the system or group of people governing an organized community, generally a state. In the case of its broad associative definition, government normally consists of legislature, executive, and judiciary. Government i ...

. In addition to the regular and evening and weekend programmes, classes are conducted at the University's Extra-Mural Centres located at the country's county

headquarters Headquarters (commonly referred to as HQ) denotes the location where most, if not all, of the important functions of an organization are coordinated. In the United States, the corporate headquarters represents the entity at the center or the to ...

. The university is admitting students to undertake courses in the proposed Koitalel Arap Samoei University College for law,

business management Business administration, also known as business management, is the administration of a commercial enterprise. It includes all aspects of overseeing and supervising the business operations of an organization. From the point of view of managemen ...

and

education Education is a purposeful activity directed at achieving certain aims, such as transmitting knowledge or fostering skills and character traits. These aims may include the development of understanding, rationality, kindness, and honesty ...

courses that began in January 2015. This is a joint project of the County Government of Nandi and the University of Nairobi

Restructuring

The university underwent a major restructuring in 1983, resulting in decentralization of the administration, by the creation of six colleges headed by principals. Further, in 2021, the university was further restructured to faculties headed by Executive Deans, phasing out the colleges.

Faculties

* Veterinary Medicine * Social Sciences * Science and Technology * Law * Agriculture * Business and Management Science * Education * Arts * Engineering * Built Environment and Design * Health Sciences

Departments

* Agricultural Economics * Food Science, Nutrition And Technology * Land Resource Management And Agricultural Technology * Plant Science & Crop Protection * Linguistics, Languages and Literature * History and Archeology * Philosophy and Religious Studies * Library and Information * Art and Design * Architecture * Real Estate, Construction Management and Quantity Surveying * Urban and Regional Planning * Business Administration * Finance & Accounting * Management Science and Project Planning * Educational Management, Policy and Curriculum Studies * Educational Foundations * Educational Communication And Pedagogical Studies * Educational and Distance Studies * Physical Education And Sport * Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering * Civil and Construction Engineering * Electrical and Information Engineering * Environmental and Biosystems Engineering * Geospatial and Space Technology * Dental Sciences * Nursing Sciences * Public and Global Health * Surgery * Human Anatomy and Physiology * Clinical Medicine and Therapeutics * Paediatrics and Child Health * Obstetrics and Gynaecology * Human Pathology * Psychiatry * Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Medicine * Medical Microbiology and Immunology * Pharmacy * Chemistry * Computing and Informatics * Mathematics * Physics * Biology * Earth and Climate Sciences * Biochemistry * Anthropology, Gender and African Studies * Economics, Population and Development Studies * Sociology, Social Work and African Women Studies * Political Science, Diplomacy and Public Administration * Journalism and Mass Communication * Public Health, Pharmacology and Toxicology * Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology * Animal Production * Clinical Studies * Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology

Rankings

In 2017,

Times Higher Education ''Times Higher Education'' (''THE''), formerly ''The Times Higher Education Supplement'' (''The Thes''), is a British magazine reporting specifically on news and issues related to higher education. Ownership TPG Capital acquired TSL Education ...

ranked the university within the 801–1000 band globally.

Notable alumni

* Kawango Agot, researcher and HIV specialist * Elijah Ateka, Professor of Plant Virology * Avril, singer and actress *

Stellah Wairimu Bosire-Otieno Stellah Wairimu Bosire, is a Kenyan physician, corporate executive, human rights activist and author, a former Co-Executive Director of UHAI EASHRI and also previously served as the chief executive officer of ''Kenya Medical Association'' and ...

, physician and corporate executive * Ali Rasso Dido, National Assembly member * Zipporah Gathuya, pediatric anesthesiologist *

Githinji Kiama Gitahi Githinji Gitahi is a Kenyan medical doctor who serves as the Global Chief Executive Officer of Amref Health Africa as well a former co-chair of the UHC2030 Steering Committee. In July 2021, he was appointed as a Commissioner in the Africa CO ...

, physician and Global Chief Executive Officer, Amref Health Africa * Robert Gichimu Githinji, Member of Parliament * James Gita Hakim, professor of medicine, cardiologist and HIV clinical trialist * Patrick R. D. Hayford, diplomat, former Ghana Ambassador to

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring coun ...

(1997–1999), Director of African Affairs in the Executive Office of

United Nations The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization whose stated purposes are to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmoni ...

(UN) Secretary-General Kofi Annan(1999–2005) * Philo Ikonya, author and human rights activist * Wahu Kagwe, singer, actress, songwriter, entertainer * Jacob Kaimenyi, former Cabinet Secretary Education, Lands & Natural resources. Academicians * Michael Kamau, Cabinet Secretary * Dr Jemimah Kariuki, gynaecologist * Dr Thomas Kariuki, Director of Programmes at the

African Academy of Sciences The African Academy of Sciences (AAS) is a non-aligned, non-political, not-for-profit, pan-African learned society formed in 1985. The AAS elects fellows (FAAS) and affiliates. The AAS also awards the Obasanjo Prize for Scientific Discovery and T ...

* Maina Kiai, human rights activist and UN Special Rapporteur * Felix Koskei, former Cabinet Secretary, Kenya. *

Joseph Ole Lenku Joseph Jama Ole Lenku (born 20 October 1970) is a Kenyan politician who was the second Governor of Kajiado County after winning in the Kenyan General Elections on 8 August 2017 and lost his seat in the 2022 General elections held on 8 August. ...

, former Cabinet Secretary and Governor Kajiado County. *

PLO Lumumba Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba (born 17 July 1962) is a Kenyan who served as the Director of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission from September 2010 to August 2011. Since 2014, Lumumba has been the Director of The Kenya School of Law. An eloquent ...

, Professor of Law * Wangari Maathai, Nobel peace prize laureate * Emma Mbua, palaeo anthropologist and curator *

James Wainaina Macharia James Wainaina Macharia (born 1959) is a Kenyan accountant who was nominated by President Uhuru Kenyatta Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta (born 26 October 1961) is a Kenyan politician who served as the fourth president of Kenya from 2013 to 2022. ...

, Cabinet Secretary. * Fred Matiangi, Cabinet Secretary. *

Adan Mohammed , native_name_lang = , honorific-suffix = , image = Adanmohammed.jpg , caption = , office = Cabinet Secretary for Industrialization and Enterprise Development , term_start = 15 May 2013 , term_end ...

, Cabinet Secretary. * Musalia Mudavadi, former Vice President under President Moi, former Deputy Prime Minister to Rt Hon. Raila Odinga. *

Sylvia Mulinge Sylvia Wairimu Mulinge (née Sylvia Wairimu), is a Kenyan businesswoman and corporate executive. Since 1 October 2022, she serves as the chief executive officer of MTN Uganda, replacing ''Wim Vanhelleputte'', who was promoted to regional executi ...

, corporate executive *

Margaret Muthwii Margaret Jepkirui Muthwii (born 13 October 1957) is a Kenyan academic who has been vice-chancellor of Pan Africa Christian University since January 2014. She was educated at the University of Nairobi (BA, 1980) and the University of East Anglia ...

, Vice-Chancellor of

Pan Africa Christian University Pan Africa Christian (PAC) University is a private Christian University in Nairobi, Kenya ) , national_anthem = " Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capita ...

* Willy Mutunga, former Chief Justice of Kenya * MaryJane Mwangi, corporate executive *

John Nasasira John Nwoono Nasasira is a Ugandan engineer and politician. He was most recently the Minister of Information and Communication Technology in the Cabinet of Uganda, but resigned as an MP in August 2016, citing "ill health." He was appointed to th ...

, Ugandan Cabinet Minister * Ruth W. Nduati, physician and HIV researcher * Eva Njenga, physician and first female chair of

Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council is a statutory body which regulates the training and practice of medicine, dentistry and community oral health in Kenya ) , national_anthem = " Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map ...

Freda Nkirote Freda Nkirote M’Mbogori is a Kenyan archaeologist, who is Director of the British Institute in Eastern Africa (BIEA) and President of the Pan-African Archaeological Association. Biography Nkirote studied for her BA at the University of Nair ...

, archaeologist and Director of the

British Institute in Eastern Africa The British Institute in Eastern Africa (BIEA) is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, and is dedicated to supporting historical, archaeological, and other social science and humanities research in eastern Africa. The BIEA is sponsored by the British A ...

(BIEA) and President of the Pan-African Archaeological Association. * Apolo Nsibambi, Prime Minister of Uganda *

Shitsama Nyamweya Sylvia Shitsama Nyamweya (née Sylvia Shitsama), is a Kenyan consultant neurosurgeon at the Kenyatta National Referral Hospital. She is the first female neurosurgeon in Kenya and one of a handful of female neurosurgeons in the country. Backgro ...

, neurosurgeon *Joe Nyangon, Engineer, energy economist and clean energy technology expert * Borna Nyaoke-Anoke, physician and medical researcher *

Catherine Nyongesa Catherine Naliaka Nyongesa Watta (née Catherine Naliaka) (born in 1970), is a Kenyan physician and radiation oncologist, who is the founder, owner and chief executive of Texas Cancer Centre, in Nairobi, the capital and largest city in the coun ...

, physician and radiation oncologist * Washington Yotto Ochieng, Professor of Engineering at

Imperial College London Imperial College London (legally Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine) is a public research university in London, United Kingdom. Its history began with Prince Albert, consort of Queen Victoria, who developed his vision for a cu ...

* Troy Onyango, writer and lawyer * James Orengo, long serving Kenyan legislator and senior council. *

Teodosia Osir Teodosia Osir, also Teddie Osir, is a Kenyan lawyer and corporate executive, who is the general counsel and head of corporate affairs at Kenya Airways, an international airline based in Nairobi, the capital and largest city in Kenya. Background ...

, lawyer and corporate executive *

Babu Owino Paul Ongili Owino (born 10 October 1989), also known as Babu Owino, is a Kenyan politician and member of parliament for Embakasi East Constituency. He gained media recognition as the chairperson of Students Organisation of Nairobi University ( ...

, politician *

Henry Rotich Henry K. Rotich (born c. 1969) is a Kenyan civil servant who was nominated by President Uhuru Kenyatta as Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury on 23 April 2013. On 14 January 2020, Rotich, who had been arrested on charges of corruption, w ...

, Kenya's Finance Cabinet Secretary. * William Ruto, President Elect Republic of Kenya. * Stephen Sang, constitutional lawyer and the Second Governor of Nandi County *

Josephine Sinyo Josephine Sinyo is a Kenyan lawyer, politician and disability rights activist. She is a member of Kenya's parliament, having become in 1998 the country's first blind person to be elected an MP. Early life and education Josephine Sinyo is blind s ...

, Kenyan lawyer, politician and disability rights activist * Anne Waiguru, former Cabinet Secretary and Governor of Kirinyaga County. * Hassan Wario, anthropologist, former Cabinet Secretary, Kenya and serving Kenyan ambassador. .

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Nairobi, University of Educational institutions established in 1956 Educational institutions established in 1961 Educational institutions established in 1964 Educational institutions established in 1970 Universities and colleges in Kenya 1956 establishments in Kenya

Establishment

History

Profile

Restructuring

Faculties

Departments

Rankings

Notable alumni

See also

References

External links