The Commission for University Education (CUE) has released an updated list of 89 universities and other higher education institutions in Kenya, including institutions listed as approved in 2026.
The CUE register, covering institutions approved in Kenya as of September 15, 2026, groups them into public and private chartered universities, specialized degree-awarding institutions, constituent university colleges and institutions with Letters of Interim Authority.
Bomet University is among the latest additions to the public chartered universities category, with 2026 listed as its charter year.
Other institutions appearing in the 2026 entries include the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and the Kenya Medical Research Institute, both listed under specialized degree-awarding institutions.
Kerio Valley University College is also listed among public university constituent colleges, while Outspan Global University, the African Talent University, East Kenya Integrated University and Kamagambo University appear among institutions with Letters of Interim Authority.
Public Universities Approved in Kenya
CUE has listed 36 public chartered universities in Kenya. The category includes long-established institutions such as the University of Nairobi, Moi University, Kenyatta University and Egerton University, as well as newer universities established in subsequent years.
The University of Nairobi, Moi University, Kenyatta University and Egerton University received their charters in 2013, according to the register.
Dedan Kimathi University of Technology received its charter in 2012, while Bomet University is listed under 2026.
Full List of Public Chartered Universities
| No. | University | Charter year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Nairobi | 2013 |
| 2 | Moi University | 2013 |
| 3 | Kenyatta University | 2013 |
| 4 | Egerton University | 2013 |
| 5 | Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology | 2013 |
| 6 | Maseno University | 2013 |
| 7 | Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology | 2013 |
| 8 | Dedan Kimathi University of Technology | 2012 |
| 9 | Chuka University | 2013 |
| 10 | Technical University of Kenya | 2013 |
| 11 | Technical University of Mombasa | 2013 |
| 12 | Pwani University | 2013 |
| 13 | Kisii University | 2013 |
| 14 | University of Eldoret | 2013 |
| 15 | Maasai Mara University | 2013 |
| 16 | Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology | 2013 |
| 17 | Laikipia University | 2013 |
| 18 | South Eastern Kenya University | 2013 |
| 19 | Meru University of Science and Technology | 2013 |
| 20 | Multimedia University of Kenya | 2013 |
| 21 | University of Kabianga | 2013 |
| 22 | Karatina University | 2013 |
| 23 | Kibabii University | 2015 |
| 24 | Rongo University | 2016 |
| 25 | The Co-operative University of Kenya | 2016 |
| 26 | Taita Taveta University | 2016 |
| 27 | Murang’a University of Technology | 2016 |
| 28 | University of Embu | 2016 |
| 29 | Machakos University | 2016 |
| 30 | Kirinyaga University | 2016 |
| 31 | Garissa University | 2017 |
| 32 | Alupe University | 2022 |
| 33 | Kaimosi Friends University | 2022 |
| 34 | Tom Mboya University | 2022 |
| 35 | Tharaka University | 2022 |
| 36 | Bomet University | 2026 |
Also Read: DAAD Opens Fully Funded Scholarships With KSh58K Monthly Allowance at Two Kenyan Universities
Private Universities Approved in Kenya
The CUE register lists 32 private chartered universities. They range from institutions chartered in the early 1990s to universities chartered in 2025.
The University of Eastern Africa, Baraton, received its charter in 1991, followed by the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in 1992 and Daystar University in 1994.
More recent entries include Riara University, Uzima University, Gretsa University and Amref International University, all listed with 2025 as their charter year.
Full List of Private Chartered Universities
| No. | University | Charter year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Eastern Africa, Baraton | 1991 |
| 2 | Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) | 1992 |
| 3 | Daystar University | 1994 |
| 4 | Scott Christian University | 1997 |
| 5 | United States International University | 1999 |
| 6 | Africa Nazarene University | 2002 |
| 7 | Kenya Methodist University | 2006 |
| 8 | St. Paul’s University | 2007 |
| 9 | Pan Africa Christian University | 2008 |
| 10 | Strathmore University | 2008 |
| 11 | Kabarak University | 2008 |
| 12 | Mount Kenya University | 2011 |
| 13 | Africa International University | 2011 |
| 14 | Kenya Highlands Evangelical University | 2011 |
| 15 | Great Lakes University of Kisumu | 2012 |
| 16 | KCA University | 2013 |
| 17 | Adventist University of Africa | 2013 |
| 18 | KAG EAST University | 2016 |
| 19 | Umma University | 2019 |
| 20 | Presbyterian University of East Africa | 2020 |
| 21 | Aga Khan University | 2021 |
| 22 | Kiriri Women’s University of Science and Technology | 2022 |
| 23 | The East African University | 2022 |
| 24 | Zetech University | 2022 |
| 25 | Lukenya University | 2022 |
| 26 | Management University of Africa | 2024 |
| 27 | Tangaza University | 2024 |
| 28 | Islamic University of Kenya | 2024 |
| 29 | Riara University | 2025 |
| 30 | Uzima University | 2025 |
| 31 | Gretsa University | 2025 |
| 32 | Amref International University | 2025 |
Also Read: Can Universities Solve Unemployment in Africa?
Specialized Degree-Awarding Institutions
Five public institutions appear in the specialised degree-awarding category. The register includes the National Defence University-Kenya, the Open University of Kenya, and the National Intelligence Research University, along with two institutions listed under 2026.
| No. | Institution | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | National Defence University-Kenya | 2021 |
| 2 | Open University of Kenya | 2023 |
| 3 | National Intelligence Research University | 2024 |
| 4 | Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology | 2026 |
| 5 | Kenya Medical Research Institute | 2026 |
Public University Constituent Colleges
CUE lists seven public university constituent colleges, including Turkana University College, Koitaleel Samoei University College and Mama Ngina University College.
Kerio Valley University College is the latest entry in this category, with 2026 recorded as its year.
| No. | Institution | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Turkana University College | 2016 |
| 2 | Koitaleel Samoei University College | 2018 |
| 3 | Mama Ngina University College | 2021 |
| 4 | Nyandarua University College | 2025 |
| 5 | Kabarnet University College | 2025 |
| 6 | Makueni University College | 2025 |
| 7 | Kerio Valley University College | 2026 |
Private University Constituent Colleges
The register also identifies two private university constituent colleges.
| No. | Institution | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hekima University College | 1993 |
| 2 | Marist International University College | 2002 |
Institutions With Letters of Interim Authority
Seven institutions appear in the category of institutions with Letters of Interim Authority. These include Pioneer International University, which received its letter in 2012, and International Leadership University, listed under 2014.
Four institutions in this category have 2026 recorded as their year: Outspan Global University, the African Talent University, East Kenya Integrated University and Kamagambo University.
| No. | Institution | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pioneer International University | 2012 |
| 2 | International Leadership University | 2014 |
| 3 | Consolata International University | 2025 |
| 4 | Outspan Global University | 2026 |
| 5 | The African Talent University | 2026 |
| 6 | East Kenya Integrated University | 2026 |
| 7 | Kamagambo University | 2026 |
An institution holding a Letter of Interim Authority is in a different regulatory category from a fully chartered university.
Students should therefore confirm an institution’s status and check whether their intended programme has the necessary approval before enrolling.
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