University of Nairobi

About University of Nairobi

The University of Nairobi is a world-class university committed to scholarly excellence. University of Nairobi mission is to provide quality university education and training and to embody the aspirations of the Kenyan people and the global community through creation, preservation, integration, transmission and utilization of knowledge.

The University of Nairobi is guided by the following core values:

Freedom of thought and expression. The University of Nairobi shall promote and defend freedom of thought and expression in academic inquiry and other activities.

Innovativeness and creativity. Innovativeness and creativity shall be the hallmark of University of Nairobis activities as we initiate and adapt to change.

Good corporate governance. The University of Nairobi embraces and practices good corporate governance. In this regard, the University of Nairobi shall ensure that all our processes and procedures are marked by efficiency, effectiveness and transparency; the University of Nairobi accountable for its decisions and actions; our decision-making processes are participative and consultative; and our decisions and actions reflect meritocracy and are open and transparent;

Team spirit and teamwork. The University of Nairobi shall foster a work environment characterized by team spirit and teamwork.

Professionalism. In all our actions and interactions, University of Nairobi shall maintain ethical behaviour, professional etiquette and honesty.

Quality customer service. University of Nairobi shall provide quality services to our clients.

Responsible corporate citizenship and strong social responsibility. The University of Nairobi shall nurture responsible corporate citizenship and strong social responsibility. Respect for and conservation of the environment. In all our activities, University of Nairobi shall strive to respect and protect the environment.

Why study at University of Nairobi

Based in Nairobi, University of Nairobi is the largest and highest ranked University in Kenya with a rich history in research and has a wide array of diploma, degree, masters and doctorate programmes.

Universtiy of Nairobi is guided by the following core values: 

Freedom of thought and expression. We shall promote and defend freedom of thought and expression in academic inquiry and other activities.

Innovativeness and creativity. Innovativeness and creativity shall be the hallmark of our activities as we initiate and adapt to change.

Good corporate governance. We embrace and practice good corporate governance. In this regard, we shall ensure that all our processes and procedures are marked by efficiency, effectiveness and transparency; we are accountable for our decisions and actions; our decision-making processes are participative and consultative; and our decisions and actions reflect meritocracy and are open and transparent;

Team spirit and teamwork. We shall foster a work environment characterized by team spirit and teamwork.

Professionalism. In all our actions and interactions, we shall maintain ethical behaviour, professional etiquette and honesty.

Quality customer service. We shall provide quality services to our clients.

Responsible corporate citizenship and strong social responsibility. We shall nurture responsible corporate citizenship and strong social responsibility. * Respect for and conservation of the environment. In all our activities, we shall strive to respect and protect the environment.

University of Nairobi - Historical journey

The inception of the University of Nairobi is traced back to 1956, with the establishment of the Royal Technical College which admitted its first lot of A-level graduates for technical courses in April the same year.

The Royal Technical College was transformed into the second University College in East Africa on 25th June, 1961 under the name Royal College Nairobi and was admitted into a special relations with the University of London whereupon it immediately began preparing students in the faculties of Arts, Science and Engineering for award degrees of the University of London. Meanwhile, students in other faculties such as the Faculty of Special Professional Studies (later renamed Faculty of Commerce) and Faculty of Architecture continued to offer diplomas for qualifications of professional bodies/ institutions.

On 20th May 1964, the Royal College Nairobi was renamed University College Nairobi as a constituent college ofinter-territorial, Federal University of East Africa, and henceforth the enrolled students were to study for degrees of the University of East Africa and not London as was the case before. In 1970, the University College Nairobi transformed into the first national university in Kenya and was renamed the University of Nairobi.

In view of the rapid expansion and complexities in administration, the University underwent a major restructuring in 1983 resulting in decentralization of the administration, by creation of six (6) campus colleges headed by principals.

The following are the names and respective locations of the colleges:

College of Agriculture & Veterinary Sciences situated at Upper Kabete Campus

College of Architecture & Engineering situated at the Main Campus

College of Biological & Physical Sciences situated at Chiromo Campus

College of Education & External Studies situated at Kikuyu Campus

College of Health Sciences situated at the Kenyatta National Hospital

College of Humanities and Social sciences situated at the Main Campus -Faculty of Arts ; Parklands-Faculty of Law; Lower Kabete Campus -Faculty of Commerce

Visit us today

Pay us a courtesy call.
The University is situated in Nairobi, a fast growing city with a population of over 3.5 million. The city center has an area of over 700 square kilometers and stands at an altitude of 1,675 meters above sea level. It is 140 kilometers south of the equator and some 480 kilometres west of the Indian Ocean This beautiful city experiences no real winter or summer because it is near the equator and at a high altitude. The days in Nairobi are warm and the nights cool for the greater part of the year. With the temperature rarely rising above 80 degrees F (27 degrees C) in the middle of the day or falling below 50 degrees F (10 degrees C) at night, Nairobi enjoys a temperate climate. The hottest periods, however, occur between January and March and August and October with the coolest period in July. The long rains fall from the end of March to the end of May while the short rains are experienced from the end of October to December. The average annual rainfall is about 800 centirnetres.


Nairobi is the capital, commercial, administrative and cultural centre of Kenya. In Nairobi are found the Parliament Buildings, Headquarters of Government Ministries and Departments. Also, the city is home to City Hall, State House, National Museums of Kenya, Snake Park, Aviary, Arboretum, Mosques Municipal Markets, Art Galleries, Kenyatta International Conference Centre which houses one of the largest Conference Halls in the World, about a dozen cinemas, numerous hotels, coffee houses am beautiful parks.