University Ranking in Kenya 2026: Top 20 Best Universities in Kenya.
University rankings in Kenya provide an assessment of institutions based on academic performance, research output, institutional reputation, learning facilities, student population, and graduate employability. The rankings are used as a reference point for evaluating universities offering undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and certificate programmes.
According to the 2026 university rankings by EduRank, the University of Nairobi (UoN) has been ranked as the best university in Kenya, followed by Kenyatta University (KU) and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). The ranking comprises both public and private universities operating in Kenya.
The rankings are based on institutional performance indicators, including research contribution, academic reputation, online visibility, and influence in various academic disciplines.
University Ranking in Kenya 2026: Top 20 Best Universities
The following are the top 20 universities in Kenya according to EduRank’s 2026 rankings:
| Rank | University | Year Founded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Nairobi (UoN) | 1970 |
| 2 | Kenyatta University (KU) | 1985 |
| 3 | Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) | 1981 |
| 4 | Moi University | 1984 |
| 5 | Strathmore University (SU) | 1961 |
| 6 | Egerton University | 1939 |
| 7 | Maseno University | 1991 |
| 8 | Mount Kenya University (MKU) | 1996 |
| 9 | Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) | 1984 |
| 10 | Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT) | 1972 |
| 11 | University of Eldoret | 1946 |
| 12 | Kenya Methodist University (KeMU) | 1997 |
| 13 | Technical University of Kenya (TU-K) | 1961 |
| 14 | Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) | 1972 |
| 15 | South Eastern Kenya University (SEKU) | 1976 |
| 16 | Daystar University | 1974 |
| 17 | Pwani University | 1984 |
| 18 | Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) | 1951 |
| 19 | Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) | 2009 |
| 20 | Great Lakes University of Kisumu (GLUK) | 1998 |
Detailed List of Top 20 Universities in Kenya 2026
20. Great Lakes University of Kisumu (GLUK)
Year founded: 1998
Address: P.O. Box 2224-40100, Kisumu, Kenya
Website: www.gluk.ac.ke
Great Lakes University of Kisumu is a private university that developed from the Tropical Institute of Community Health and Development (TICH). The institution’s main campus is located in Kibos, Kisumu County, with additional campuses in Milimani and Nairobi.
The university is recognised for its programmes in health sciences, including nursing, community health, medicine, and development studies. It attracts students from Kenya and other African countries, including Rwanda, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Sudan.
19. Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST)
Year founded: 2009
Address: P.O. Box 210-40601, Bondo, Kenya
Website: www.jooust.ac.ke
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology is a public university located in Bondo, Siaya County. The institution was established from Bondo University College, which previously operated as a constituent college of Maseno University.
The university received its charter in 2013 and has developed academic programmes focusing on science, technology, natural resource management, computing, and development studies.
18. Technical University of Mombasa (TUM)
Year founded: 1951
Address: P.O. Box 90420-80100, Mombasa, Kenya
Website: www.tum.ac.ke
Technical University of Mombasa traces its history to 1951 when it was established as the Mombasa Institute of Muslim Education.
The institution evolved through various stages, including Mombasa Technical Institute and Mombasa Polytechnic, before attaining university status in 2013.
TUM specialises in technical and technological education, offering programmes in engineering, applied sciences, business, and maritime studies.
17. Pwani University
Year founded: 1984
Address: P.O. Box 195-80108, Kilifi, Kenya
Website: www.pu.ac.ke
Pwani University originated as the Kilifi Institute of Agriculture in 1984 before becoming a constituent college of Kenyatta University in 2007.
The institution was granted a university charter in 2013 and is located in Kilifi County on approximately 239 hectares of land.
Pwani University is recognised for programmes in tropical agriculture, tropical medicine, marine sciences, and education.
16. Daystar University
Year founded: 1974
Address: P.O. Box 44400-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Website: www.daystar.ac.ke
Daystar University is a private, Christ-centred, non-denominational institution established in 1974.
The university operates campuses along Valley Road in Nairobi and in Athi River. It offers programmes across communication, business, education, social sciences, and other academic disciplines.
15. South Eastern Kenya University (SEKU)
Year founded: 1976
Address: P.O. Box 170-90200, Kitui, Kenya
Website: www.seku.ac.ke
South Eastern Kenya University traces its origins to the Ukamba Agricultural Institute established in 1976.
The institution later became South Eastern University College, a constituent college of the University of Nairobi, before receiving its charter in 2013.
SEKU is recognised for programmes in agriculture, environmental science, water resource management, and related fields.
14. Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST)
Year founded: 1972
Address: P.O. Box 190-50100, Kakamega, Kenya
Website: www.mmust.ac.ke
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology began as Western College of Arts and Applied Sciences (WECO) in 1972.
The institution became a constituent college of Moi University in 2002 before attaining full university status in 2007.
MMUST is located in Kakamega County and specialises in science, technology, engineering, and applied academic programmes.
13. Technical University of Kenya (TU-K)
Year founded: 1961
Address: P.O. Box 52428-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
Website: www.tukenya.ac.ke
Technical University of Kenya was established in 1961 as a technical training institution before being elevated to university status in 2012.
The university focuses on technology research and higher education in science, technology, engineering, architecture, and related fields.
12. Kenya Methodist University (KeMU)
Year founded: 1997
Address: P.O. Box 267-60200, Meru, Kenya
Website: www.kemu.ac.ke
Kenya Methodist University is a private institution owned by the Methodist Church.
The university operates campuses in Meru, Nairobi, Nakuru, and Mombasa and offers programmes designed to address workforce development needs.
11. University of Eldoret
Year founded: 1946
Address: P.O. Box 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
Website: www.uoeld.ac.ke
The University of Eldoret traces its history to 1946 when it began as a Large-Scale Farmers Training Centre.
The institution later became Moi Teachers’ Training College, Chepkoilel Campus, and Chepkoilel University College before receiving its charter in 2013.
The university specialises in science, agriculture, technology, and education programmes.
10. Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT)
Year founded: 1972
Address: P.O. Box 657-10100, Nyeri, Kenya
Website: www.dkut.ac.ke
Dedan Kimathi University of Technology began as Kimathi Institute of Technology in 1972.
The institution became Kimathi University College of Technology in 2007 before receiving a university charter in December 2012.
DeKUT focuses on technology-driven education, engineering, computing, and applied sciences.
9. Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA)
Year founded: 1984
Address: P.O. Box 62157-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
Website: www.cuea.edu
The Catholic University of Eastern Africa began by offering theology programmes before expanding into a comprehensive university.
The institution provides doctoral, postgraduate, undergraduate, diploma, and certificate programmes in various academic fields.
8. Mount Kenya University (MKU)
Year founded: 1996
Address: P.O. Box 342-01000, Thika, Kenya
Website: www.mku.ac.ke
Mount Kenya University is a private university founded in 1996.
The institution is among the largest private universities in East and Central Africa and offers programmes across multiple disciplines.
7. Maseno University
Year founded: 1991
Address: P.O. Box 333-40105, Maseno, Kenya
Website: www.maseno.ac.ke
Maseno University is a public university established through an Act of Parliament in 1991.
The institution has developed into a higher education and research centre offering programmes in sciences, education, business, and technology.
6. Egerton University
Year founded: 1939
Address: P.O. Box 536-20115, Njoro, Kenya
Website: www.egerton.ac.ke
Egerton University is the oldest institution of higher learning in Kenya.
It was established in 1939 by Lord Maurice Egerton of Tatton as an agricultural training institution before expanding into a comprehensive university.
The institution remains recognised for agriculture, veterinary medicine, environmental studies, sciences, business, and education.
5. Strathmore University (SU)
Year founded: 1961
Address: P.O. Box 59857-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
Website: www.strathmore.edu
Strathmore University is a private university established in 1961.
The institution is recognised for business education, accounting programmes, technology, and research collaborations.
4. Moi University
Year founded: 1984
Address: P.O. Box 3900-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
Website: www.mu.ac.ke
Moi University was established in 1984 in Eldoret.
The university operates multiple campuses and offers academic programmes in medicine, education, sciences, business, and humanities.
3. Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)
Year founded: 1981
Address: P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
Website: www.jkuat.ac.ke
JKUAT is a public university specialising in agriculture, engineering, technology, and innovation.
The university’s main campus is located in Juja, Kiambu County, and serves thousands of students across multiple campuses and centres.
2. Kenyatta University (KU)
Year founded: 1985
Address: P.O. Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Website: www.ku.ac.ke
Kenyatta University is among Kenya’s largest public universities.
The institution has multiple campuses across the country and offers programmes in education, sciences, humanities, health sciences, business, and technology.
1. University of Nairobi (UoN)
Year founded: 1970
Original establishment: Royal Technical College in 1956
Address: P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Website: www.uonbi.ac.ke
The University of Nairobi has been ranked as the best university in Kenya according to EduRank’s 2026 rankings.
The institution is Kenya’s oldest university and traces its origins to the Royal Technical College established in 1956.
UoN offers approximately 900 academic programmes and operates multiple campuses within Nairobi and other regions.
The university hosts more than 90,000 students, over 2,000 PhD-holding academic staff members, more than 400 professors, and approximately 5,000 administrative and technical staff members.
Additional University Rankings in Kenya 2026
Kisii University Ranking in Kenya
According to EduRank, Kisii University is ranked 43rd in Kenya and approximately 10,777th globally in 2026.
The university was established in 2007 and received a university charter in 2013. It is located in the Gusii Highlands, with additional campuses in Kericho, Migori, and Eldoret.
Cheapest Universities in Kenya
Public universities generally provide some of the most affordable higher education options in Kenya, particularly for government-sponsored students.
Institutions commonly listed among affordable universities include:
- University of Nairobi
- Kenyatta University
- Moi University
- Chuka University
Tuition costs vary depending on the programme, level of study, and funding category.
Read Also: JKUAT Admission 2026/2027: University Issues Fresh Update to All New Students
Most Famous University in Kenya
The University of Nairobi is widely recognised as Kenya’s most prominent and prestigious university due to its long history, large student population, extensive academic programmes, research contribution, and national reputation.
Conclusion
The 2026 university rankings in Kenya indicate continued dominance by established public universities, with the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology occupying the leading positions.
Both public and private universities continue to compete through research output, academic programmes, technological advancement, institutional infrastructure, and graduate employability indicators.
University Ranking in Kenya 2026: Top 20 Best Universities in Kenya.
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