Riara University (RU) was founded by two renowned and distinguished Kenyan educationists, Daniel Gachukia and Eddah Gachukia.
The history of the university dates back to 1974, when the founders acquired a small kindergarten called Balmoral Kindergarten along Riara Road (formerly Balmoral Road) in Nairobi.
At the time, the kindergarten primarily served children of foreign expatriates and operated mainly from one of the houses along Riara Road.
After the Gachukia family took over, the kindergarten gradually admitted more local pupils.
In a short time, it embarked on a positive but carefully planned growth trajectory, driven largely by the quality differentiation the school offered.
Through a process of strategic planning and prudent management, the once-humble kindergarten evolved into what is now the Riara Group of Schools, comprising two kindergartens, two primary schools, a girls’ high school, and an international school.
Riara University history
Riara University received its Letter of Interim Authority on August 2, 2012, with a vision of nurturing innovators and ethical leaders capable of impacting society through innovation and service.
Since then, it has pursued a strategic and controlled growth path.
The Student Association was launched in 2016, while the first cohort graduated in 2017.
In 2021, RU joined the Education Collaborative—an Africa-wide network of like-minded universities—with the aim of training 1.1 million ethical, entrepreneurial graduates across the continent by 2030.
RU broke ground for its new Main Campus at the Konza Technopolis in 2023, becoming the first private investor in Konza to begin construction. This milestone reinforced its commitment to innovation and future-oriented education.
The university has graduated over 2,500 alumni, some of whom have gone on to excel globally, including securing scholarships to prestigious institutions like Harvard Law School.
On March 19, 2025, President William Ruto awarded a charter to Riara University at State House in Nairobi, officially elevating it to a fully accredited higher education institution.
The founders, Daniel Gachukia and Prof. Eddah Gachukia, were also honored for their longstanding contributions to education.
Daniel Gachukia received the Elder of the Burning Spear award, while Prof. Eddah Gachukia was similarly recognized with a state honor.
Riara University has six schools: the Riara Law School, School of Business, School of Computing Sciences, School of International Relations & Diplomacy, School of Communication and Multimedia Journalism, and the School of Education.
Also Read: Garissa University: Courses Offered, Fees, Location and Campuses
School of Computing Sciences
Undergraduate and Postgraduate programs
| Program | Fee |
| Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BCS) | Ksh103,600 per semester |
| Bachelor of Business Information Technology (BBIT) | Ksh102,550 per semester |
| Master of Science in Data Science & Computational Intelligence | Ksh23,750 per unit (more than 13 units in total) |
Diploma and certificate courses
| Program | Fee |
| Diploma in Computer Science | Ksh73,700 per trimester excluding a statutory fee
Statutory fee is Ksh9000 (payable one time on admission), Ksh5,500 (payable per academic year), and Ksh11,200 (payable per semester) |
| Diploma in Robotics and Embedded Systems | Ksh73,700 per trimester excluding a statutory fee
Statutory fee is Ksh9000 (payable one time on admission), Ksh5,500 (payable per academic year), and Ksh11,200 (payable per semester) |
| Diploma in Information and Cyber Security (DICS) | Kshs73,700 (per semester) excluding a statutory fee |
| Diploma in Business Information Technology (DBIT) | Payment of fee is dependent on the number of units undertaken per semester |
| Diploma in Information Technology | Ksh73,700 per trimester excluding a statutory fee
Statutory fee is Ksh9000 (payable one time on admission), Ksh5,500 (payable per academic year), and Ksh11,200 (payable per semester) |
| Certificate in Web Development | Ksh8,700 (per unit) for 12 units excluding a statutory fee |
| Certificate in Information Technology | Ksh8700 for core unit and Ksh8000 for foundation unit |
School of International Relations and Diplomacy
| Program | Fee |
| Bachelor’s in International Relations & Diplomacy | Dependent on the number of units undertaken per semester |
| Master of Arts in International Relations & Diplomacy | Dependent on the number of units undertaken per semester |
| Diploma in International Relations & Diplomacy | Dependent on the number of units undertaken per semester |
| Certificate in Corporate Diplomacy |
Also Read: Daniel Gachukia: Riara Group Founder Whose University was Awarded Charter by Ruto
School of Communication and Multimedia Journalism
| Program | Fee |
| Degree in Journalism | Ksh92,400 per semester |
| Diploma in Journalism | Ksh42,000 tuition fee per trimester excluding statutory fees |
School of Business
| Program | Fee |
| Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) (Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management, Procurement, Supply Chain and Logistics Management) | Ksh97,300 per semester plus a statutory fee of Ksh3,000 |
| Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) Exempt. | Ksh97,300 per semester plus a statutory fee of Ksh3,000 |
| Diploma in Business Management (DBM) | Ksh57,000 per semester plus a statutory fee of Ksh3,000 |
| Diploma in Procurement and Supply Chain Management (DPSM) | Ksh57,000 per semester plus a statutory fee of Ksh3,000 |
| Certificate in Business Management | Ksh49,500 per semester plus a statutory fee of Ksh3,000 |
| Certificate in Digital Marketing | Ksh54,000 per semester plus a statutory fee of Ksh3,000 |
School of Education
| Program | Fee |
| Bachelor of Education (Arts) | Ksh45,000 per semester |
| Certificate in Teaching International Curricula (CTIC) | Ksh33,000 per semester |
| Teacher Professional Development Program (TPD) | Ksh6,000 per module |
School of Law
The Riara Law School has full accreditation from the Council of Legal Education to offer the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) program as well as the Pre-Kenya School of Law Remedial program.
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