The Cabinet has approved the Establishment of the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) as a specialized postgraduate-only degree-awarding institution of strategic national importance.
Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology will be an institution of strategic national importance as Science, Technology, and innovation geared to Vision 2030. The KAIST institution was officially launched by President William Ruto
KAIST Aim in the Educational Sector
KAIST is expected to advance courses in institutions of higher learning in the quest to create a large number of specialists to industrialize the economy.
The school was built to curb the shortage of skilled engineers that are needed in the country to drive it to an industrialized nation.
It offers academic curricula for six initial departments of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, and ICT Engineering.
At the same time, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Agricultural Biotechnology laid the groundwork for engineering research and education in Kenya.
The University comprises 10 research science labs working with specialized local and international researchers in science, technology, and engineering.
This will act as a critical catalyst for fast-tracking the modernization and transformation of Kenyan society into a middle-income country by 2030.
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Background Information of the Institution
The University was established in 2021, with the first batch of students expected to be admitted in September 2022. It was officially launched by President William Ruto
Additionally, it is modelled after the Korean Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), the first and top science and Technology University in Korea, which emphasizes specialized training.
It is located in Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) in Machakos county along the Nairobi-Mombasa Road.
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University Constituent Colleges according to CUE
The Commission for University Education (CUE) recognized five public university constituent colleges on March 11, 2025.
It included Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Turkana University College, Bomet University College, Alupe University College, Mama Ngina University College
Additionally, Helma University College and Marist International University College are the two registered private university constituent colleges.
Specialized Degree Programmmes
Besides, there are three public universities authorized to offer specialized degree programmes.
This includes National Defence University-Kenya, Open University of Kenya and National Intelligence and Research University.
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