List of Kenyan Public Universities
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Planning to join a public university, or just checking that an institution is the real deal? Kenya now has 36 public chartered universities, plus seven public university colleges and a handful of specialised public degree-awarding institutions. That is a big jump from the 2016 version of this list, when several of today’s universities were still “university colleges”.
The list below follows the Commission for University Education (CUE) register of approved universities dated 15 September 2026.
Public chartered universities
| University | Main campus location |
|---|---|
| Alupe University | Busia |
| Bomet University | Bomet |
| Chuka University | Chuka, Tharaka-Nithi |
| Dedan Kimathi University of Technology | Nyeri |
| Egerton University | Njoro, Nakuru |
| Garissa University | Garissa |
| Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology | Bondo, Siaya |
| Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) | Juja, Kiambu |
| Kaimosi Friends University | Kaimosi, Vihiga |
| Karatina University | Karatina, Nyeri |
| Kenyatta University | Nairobi (Kahawa) |
| Kibabii University | Bungoma |
| Kirinyaga University | Kerugoya, Kirinyaga |
| Kisii University | Kisii |
| Laikipia University | Nyahururu, Laikipia |
| Maasai Mara University | Narok |
| Machakos University | Machakos |
| Maseno University | Maseno, Kisumu |
| Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology | Kakamega |
| Meru University of Science and Technology | Meru |
| Moi University | Kesses, Uasin Gishu |
| Multimedia University of Kenya | Nairobi |
| Murang’a University of Technology | Murang’a |
| Pwani University | Kilifi |
| Rongo University | Rongo, Migori |
| South Eastern Kenya University | Kitui |
| Taita Taveta University | Voi, Taita Taveta |
| Technical University of Kenya | Nairobi |
| Technical University of Mombasa | Mombasa |
| Tharaka University | Marimanti, Tharaka-Nithi |
| The Co-operative University of Kenya | Karen, Nairobi |
| Tom Mboya University | Homa Bay |
| University of Eldoret | Eldoret |
| University of Embu | Embu |
| University of Kabianga | Kabianga, Kericho |
| University of Nairobi | Nairobi |
Public university constituent colleges
These are young public institutions that run under a “mentor” university until they get their own charter.
- Kabarnet University College (Baringo, mentored by Moi University)
- Kerio Valley University College
- Koitalel Samoei University College (Nandi, mentored by the University of Nairobi)
- Makueni University College (Wote, mentored by South Eastern Kenya University)
- Mama Ngina University College (Gatundu, mentored by Kenyatta University)
- Nyandarua University College (Nyandarua, mentored by the University of Nairobi)
- Turkana University College (Lodwar, mentored by Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology)
Specialised public degree-awarding institutions
- Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)
- National Defence University-Kenya
- National Intelligence Research University
- Open University of Kenya
What about campuses?
Our old list included dozens of satellite campuses. Many of those have since been closed or merged, after CUE ordered universities to shut campuses that did not meet its standards. Campus lists change often, so check the university’s own website, or CUE, before you pay fees at any campus or centre.
Notes and tips
A university can be approved while a particular course is not. Before you enrol, confirm that both the institution and the programme are approved by CUE. CUE also publishes a list of unapproved institutions that are operating illegally.
- Government-sponsored placement into public universities is done through KUCCPS (Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service).
- Paying fees by M-PESA? See our list of paybill numbers for universities, and confirm the number on the university’s official website first.
- Looking at private options too? See our list of private universities and colleges.
