Private Universities and Colleges in Nairobi: Verified Examples
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Private universities and TVET colleges have different regulators and qualifications. The selected entries below replace the mixed old list, which included public institutions and unverified campuses. This is not a complete Nairobi directory.
Selected private universities
These five institutions appear in CUE’s published private-chartered-university list. Their Nairobi locations are supported by their own websites.
| University | Verified Nairobi location |
|---|---|
| Africa International University | Karen, along Karen–Dagoretti Road |
| Catholic University of Eastern Africa | Main campus, Lang’ata |
| Riara University | Raila Odinga Way, formerly Mbagathi Way |
| Strathmore University | Madaraka Estate, Ole Sangale Road |
| United States International University–Africa | USIU Road, off Thika Road, Exit 7 |
Selected private TVET colleges
TVETA lists these Nairobi institutions as Registered and Licensed. The dates are the licence expiry dates shown in its records, checked on 3 November 2026.
| Institution or branch | TVETA registration number | Listed expiry |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Business School | TVETA/PRIVATE/TVC/0057/2016 | 2 July 2029 |
| Nairobi Aviation College — Bank House, Moi Avenue branch | TVETA/PRIVATE/TVC/0120/2018 | 2 July 2029 |
| Vanguard Technical and Counselling Training Institute | TVETA/PRIVATE/TVC/0038/2026 | 7 January 2031 |
| Cakehearts International Hospitality Institute | TVETA/PRIVATE/TVC/0007/2025 | 28 January 2030 |
| Orthodox College of Africa | TVETA/PRIVATE/TVC/0021/2023 | 25 January 2028 |
Checks before enrolling
- For a university, check CUE’s latest approved-institutions list and the separate approved-programmes list. CUE’s download page lists an institutions update dated 15 September 2026.
- For a TVET college, check the exact branch in TVETA’s register, including ownership, status and expiry date. Similar names can refer to different campuses.
- Confirm the specific course, qualification level and awarding or examining body. Institution registration alone does not prove every advertised course is approved.
- Ask for the current fee structure, admissions requirements, delivery location and refund conditions in writing before paying.
Tip: Treat this list as a starting point. Use the regulator’s current record and the institution’s official admissions channel for your chosen intake.
Sources and useful links
- CUE — approved institutions and programmes downloads
- CUE — 2026 approved-universities list inspected
- aiu.ac.ke
- cuea.edu
- riarauniversity.ac.ke
- strathmore.edu
- usiu.ac.ke
- TVETA — Royal Business School
- TVETA — Nairobi Aviation College, Bank House branch
- TVETA — Vanguard Technical and Counselling Training Institute
- TVETA — Cakehearts International Hospitality Institute
- TVETA — Orthodox College of Africa
