Kenyatta University - History

History

The history of Kenyatta University began in 1965 when the British Government handed over the Templar Barracks to the newly formed government of Kenya. The Barracks were then changed into a college known as Kenyatta College. Initially, the College was divided into two; the Secondary Education Divisionand the Teacher Education Division, which started by offering the three-year Post – Ordinary level Secondary Teacher’s Certificate.

In 1970, the college was elevated to a constituent college of the University of Nairobi, following an Act of Parliament. Thus the name was changed to Kenyatta University College. In 1985, it became a fully-fledged university, starting as a teacher training institution and was renamed Kenyatta University. In 1978, the Faculty of Education was moved from the University of Nairobi to Kenyatta University College Campus and thus became the only institution training teachers for both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

The Campus gained the status of University in 1985 when the Kenyatta University Act became operational. Kenyatta University immediately established new faculties and constituent colleges including Jomo Kenyatta College of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) which became a constituent College of Kenyatta University in 1988 and later on become a full – fledged university.