There are 30 universities in Kenya, 7 of which are public and 23 private. The 7 public universities have a total of 12 constituent colleges, The University of Nairobi is the oldest university in Kenya.
At the KEF, we are commonly asked, “what happens to KEF scholars after high school?” KEF scholars who complete their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam with a B+ or above qualify for government loan assistance for public universities. Students who score C+ or above on the KCSE can attend public universities without government assistance, though the cost is prohibitive for KEF students who do not receive additional assistance from their sponsor.
The KEF proudly facilitates university scholarships for KEF scholars whose sponsors wish to continue supporting their student after they complete four years of high school.
For those KEF scholars who complete high school but do not go to university, other options for tertiary education in Kenya include vocational schools and certificate courses. If you are a KEF sponsor and wish to know what the options are for your KEF scholar, please contact us for more information.
Public Universities
- Kenya Polytechnic University College – a constituent college of the University of Nairobi.
- South Eastern University College – a constituent college of the University of Nairobi.
- University of Nairobi – Kisumu Campus
2. Kenyatta University – KU
- Pwani University College- Kilifi – a constituent college of Kenyatta University.
- Mombasa Polytechnic University College – a constituent college of Kenyatta University.
3. Moi University,
- Narok University College- Narok – a constituent college of Moi University.
- Kabianga University College – a constituent college of Moi University.
- Kisii University College – a constituent college of Egerton University.
- Chuka University College – a constituent college of Egerton University.
- Laikipia University College – a constituent college of Egerton University.
5. Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology – JKUAT
- Multimedia University College of Kenya – a constituent college of JKUAT.
- Meru University College of Science and Technology – a constituent college of JKUAT.
- Kimathi University College of Technology – a constituent college of JKUAT.
- Bondo University College – a constituent college of Maseno University.
7. Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.
Private Universities
There are 3 categories of private universities: 1. Chartered Universities – fully accredited universities, by the Commission for Higher Education, 2. Universities, which had been offering degrees long before the establishment of the Commission for Higher Education and 3. Universities authorised to operate with Letters of Interim Authority (LIA)
Chartered Universities
1. Alliant International University or United States International University – USIU.
2. Catholic University of Eastern Africa – CUEA.
6. University of Eastern Africa, Baraton.
7. Africa Nazarene University.
9. Kenya Methodist University.
10. The Pan Africa Christian University.
11. Scott Theological College.
12. Mt. Kenya University.
Universities with Letters of Interim Authority (LIA)
2. Great Lakes University of Kisumu.
3. Kiriri Women’s University of Science and Technology.
4. The Presbyterian University of East Africa.
5. Adventist University of Africa.
6. KCA University.
Universities operating with Certificates of Registration
1. The Nairobi International School of Theology.
2. Western College of Hospitality and Professional Studies.
2. The East Africa School of Theology.
3. The Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology
4. Kenya Highlands Bible College.
