University of Nairobi

University of Nairobi
The University of Nairobi (uonbi or UoN) is a collegiate research university based in Nairobi and is the largest university in Kenya. Although its history as an educational institution 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: the Makerere University in Uganda, the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, and the University of Nairobi in Kenya.
During the 2023 academic year, the university had 49,047 students, of whom 35,897 were undergraduates and 11,003 were 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.
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 graduates for technical courses in April the same year. The Royal Technical College was transformed into the second university college in East Africa on 25 June 1961 by the Scottish mathematician Professor James Morton Hyslop, formerly of the University of Witwatersrand under the name Royal College of Nairobi. It joined the University of London's 'schemes of special relations' and began preparing students in the faculties of Arts, Science and Engineering 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 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 in Kenya and was renamed the University of Nairobi. The university tops in Kenya's university ranking. It is ranked 7th in Africa and 1698 in the world according to Webometrics Ranking of World Universities.
History
The idea of an institution for higher learning in Kenya goes back to 1947 when the Kenyan colonial 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 was laid in April 1952.
During the same period, the Asian community was also planning to build a college for Arts, Science and Commerce as a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. To avoid duplication of efforts, Gandhi Memorial Academy Society partnered with the colonial government. Thus, the Gandhi Memorial Academy was incorporated into the Royal Technical College, Nairobi 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 came under scrutiny. Through the recommendation of a working party formed in 1958, chaired by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of London, Sir John Lockwood, the Royal Technical College, Nairobi was transformed. On 25 June 1961, the college became the second university college 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 University of London, 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, Uganda and Tanzania each had its own national universities. This development saw the birth of the University of Nairobi set up by an Act of Parliament. 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.
In 2001, the first Confucius Institute in Africa opened as a collaboration between University of Nairobi and Tianjin Normal University in China.
Profile
It is a body corporate established under the Universities Act 2012 of the Laws of Kenya and the Charter.
Through module II and III programmes, opportunity has been opened to thousands of Kenyans 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. In addition to the regular, evening and, weekend programmes, classes are conducted at the University's Extra-Mural Centres located at the country's county headquarters.
The university is admitting students to undertake courses in the proposed Koitalel Arap Samoei University College for law, business management and education 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 ranked the university within the 801–1000 band globally.
Notable alumni
William Ruto, President of the republic of Kenya
Rigathi Gachagua, Deputy president of Kenya
Kawango Agot, researcher and HIV specialist
Elijah Ateka, Professor of Plant Virology
Avril, singer and actress
Stellah Wairimu Bosire-Otieno, physician and corporate executive
Ali Rasso Dido, National Assembly member
Zipporah Gathuya, pediatric anesthesiologist
Githinji Gitahi, 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(1997–1999), Director of African Affairs in the Executive Office of United Nations (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
Maina Kiai, human rights activist and UN Special Rapporteur
Felix Koskei, former Cabinet Secretary, Kenya.
Joseph Ole Lenku, former Cabinet Secretary and Governor Kajiado County.
P. L. O. Lumumba, Professor of Law
Wangari Maathai, Nobel peace prize laureate
Emma Mbua, palaeo anthropologist and curator
James Wainaina Macharia, Cabinet Secretary.
Fred Matiangi, Cabinet Secretary.
Adan Mohammed, Cabinet Secretary.
Musalia Mudavadi, former Vice President under President Moi, former Deputy Prime Minister to Rt Hon. Raila Odinga.
Sylvia Mulinge, corporate executive
Danson Mungatana, Lawyer and Politician.
Margaret Muthwii, Vice-Chancellor of Pan Africa Christian University
Willy Mutunga, former Chief Justice of Kenya
MaryJane Mwangi, corporate executive
John Nasasira, Ugandan Cabinet Minister
Ruth W. Nduati, physician and HIV researcher
Eva Njenga, physician and first female chair of Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board
Freda Nkirote, archaeologist and Director of the British Institute in Eastern Africa (BIEA) and President of the Pan-African Archaeological Association.
Apolo Nsibambi, Prime Minister of Uganda
Sylvia Shitsama Nyamweya, neurosurgeon
Borna Nyaoke-Anoke, physician and medical researcher
Catherine Nyongesa, physician and radiation oncologist
Washington Yotto Ochieng, Professor of Engineering at Imperial College London
Troy Onyango, writer and lawyer
James Orengo, long serving Kenyan legislator and senior council.
Teodosia Osir, lawyer and corporate executive
Babu Owino, politician
Henry Rotich, Kenya's Finance Cabinet Secretary.
William Ruto, Fifth President of The Republic of Kenya.
Stephen Sang, constitutional lawyer and the Second Governor of Nandi County
Josephine Sinyo, 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. .
See also
University of Newcastle, Australia
University of Nottingham
University of Northampton
References
External links
Universities and colleges established in 1956
Universities and colleges established in 1961
Educational institutions established in 1964
Universities and colleges established in 1970
Universities and colleges in Kenya
1956 establishments in Kenya