Owners of Africa Nazarene University and Why They Chose Kenya

Africa Nazarene University (ANU) is a private Christian university and an institution of the International Church of the Nazarene.

The Church wanted to address the challenges witnessed in African society in the early 1980s through an institution of higher education.

Church of Nazerene chose Kenya as a viable location due to the Kenya University’s Act of 1985, which provided for the establishment of private universities in the country.

Members of the Church approved the establishment of a university in Africa in July 1993 after a unanimous vote during a General Assembly in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.

Afterwards, the founders pursued negotiations with the Commission of University Education and the Commission of Higher Education (CHE) to establish a degree-awarding institution.

The Kenyan Government issued a Letter of Interim Authority on November 23, 1993, allowing for the development of the institution.

This saw ANU become the first Nazarene university outside North America.

The Church of Nazerene started the University to prepare both ministerial and lay leaders for the Church.

In August 1994, Dr. Martha John, ANU’s first Vice Chancellor, opened the University’s doors to 62 students from eleven African countries.

The students were taking undergraduate courses in Theology and Business Administration or a Master of Arts in Religion.

ANU welcomed an additional 42 students in 1995 when it introduced the Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science.

Prof. Leah T Marangu took over the role of vice chancellor in January 1996 and was formally installed in February 1997.

He is credited with the University’s growth in terms of course expansion and increased student enrollment.

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Africa Nazarene University Accreditation

The government of Kenya granted the University its Charter (Accreditation Credentials) on October 8, 2002.

It was the first private university to receive this credential under the University Act without being affiliated with any other university locally or abroad.

The University currently celebrates offering 36 programmes cutting across several disciplines.

ANU’s Main campus is situated in the middle of the great Masaai savannah on 124 acres next to the Nairobi National Park, off Magadi Road near Ongata Rongai Town, 24km from the Nairobi City Center.

The campus houses over 50 modern lecture halls, the Grace Roles library facility, accommodation, two spacious dining areas, a gym and sports facilities and a shop.

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Board of Trustees

The University’s Board of Trustees consists of Rev. Donald Wesley Gardner (Chairperson), Marie Madeleine Marieme Mansaly (Vice Chairperson), Rev. Dr. Gabriel Benjiman (Chair, University Council) and Dr. Stanley Makhosi Bhebhe (Vice Chancellor and Secretary).

Other trustees are Cornelius Muthuri, Dr.Daniel A.K.L. Gomis, Prof. John Paul Marangu and Dr. LuVerne S Ward Jr.

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