Think you know Kenya’s best universities? Think again. While big names often steal the spotlight, the real game-changers in Kenyan higher education might surprise you.
Whether you’re chasing your dreams in tech, medicine, or the arts, this insider’s guide looks at the rankings of the best universities in Kenya and the performance indicators.
Also Read: Courses With The Highest in Demand in Kenya
Kenyatta University Overtakes University of Nairobi
Kenyatta University has overtaken the University of Nairobi (UoN) as the country’s premier academic institution. This change, revealed in the recently published 2025 World Universities Rankings on October 9, 2024, marks a significant turning point in the nation’s educational landscape.
The latest rankings underscore a dramatic reversal of fortunes for UoN, which has witnessed a precipitous decline in both its global and regional standing over the past year.
This shift comes amid a backdrop of systemic challenges plaguing Kenya’s public university system, including financial constraints, staffing shortages, and recent labor unrest among academic staff.
Top 10 Universities in Kenya
Kenya’s academic landscape is fiercely competitive, with students always favoring the top-ranked universities. These institutions excel in computer sciences, technology, humanities, and social sciences, preparing graduates for a rapidly evolving world.
Based on Times Higher Education World University Rankings, here is the list of the top 10 best universities in Kenya:
1. Kenyatta University
2. The University of Nairobi
3. Amref International University
4. Egerton University
5. Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology
6. Kabarak University, Kibabii University
7. Kisii University
8. Maasai Mara University
9. Machakos University
10. Catholic University of Eastern Africa
Performance Indicators
The Times Higher Education rankings employ a comprehensive set of performance indicators to evaluate institutions. These metrics encompass various aspects of university performance, including:
1. Teaching Environment
2. Research Quality
3. International Outlook
In a notable achievement, Kenyatta University outperformed UoN in the teaching category, scoring 14.2% compared to UoN’s 12.5%. However, UoN maintained its edge in research quality, achieving a score of 37.3% versus Kenyatta University’s 27.2%.
Interestingly, the gender composition of the student body varies significantly between the two institutions. Kenyatta University boasts a higher proportion of female students, with a female-to-male ratio of 75:25. In contrast, UoN has a notably lower female representation, with a ratio of 25:76, the lowest among all universities surveyed.
Difficulties in Kenya’s Public University System
The ascendancy of Kenyatta University occurs against a backdrop of widespread difficulties in Kenya’s public university system. A new funding model, introduced last year with the aim of providing a sustainable financial framework for higher education, has faced considerable opposition.
Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute, offered insight into the root causes of these challenges:
“When you underfund university teaching, the result is often worse staff-to-student ratios and inadequate contact hours. If you do this while other countries improve, your relative position is bound to deteriorate.”
Long-standing issues such as inadequate compensation for lecturers, overcrowded classrooms, and diminished research budgets have significantly impaired the ability of institutions to deliver high-quality education.
Top 10 Universities in the World
The United Kingdom and the United States still dominate university rankings globally. The University of Oxford retained the top position for nine years straight. Here is the full list:
| Rank | University | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Oxford | United Kingdom |
| 2 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | United States |
| 3 | Harvard University | United States |
| 4 | Princeton University | United States |
| 5 | University of Cambridge | United Kingdom |
| 6 | Stanford University | United States |
| 7 | California Institute of Technology | United States |
| 8 | University of California, Berkeley | United States |
| 9 | Imperial College London | United Kingdom |
| 10 | Yale University | United States |
Top 10 Universities in Africa
South African universities dominated the top 10 list of best universities in Africa. Here they are:
1. University of Cape Town (South Africa)
2. Stellenbosch University (South Africa)
3. University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa)
4. University of Johannesburg (South Africa)
5. University of KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa)
6. University of Pretoria (South Africa)
7. University of the Western Cape (South Africa)
8. Covenant University (Nigeria)
9. North-West University (South Africa)
10. The University of Cape Coast (Ghana)
Top 10 Universities in Kenya Infographic
International Outlook: A Key Area for Improvement
Kenyan universities have struggled to enhance their international profile, a crucial factor in global rankings. Institutions across the country have found it increasingly challenging to attract international faculty and students, further limiting their competitiveness on the world stage.
As Kenya’s higher education landscape continues to evolve, the rise of Kenyatta University and the concurrent challenges faced by UoN and other institutions highlight the need for comprehensive reforms and increased investment in the sector.
