TOP UNIVERSITIES IN NAKURU
Egerton University, Njoro Campus
Egerton University is a public institution located in Njoro, about 20 km from Nakuru town. It was established in 1939 as an agricultural college and later gained university status in 1987. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across its various schools and faculties, including agriculture, engineering, sciences, and business.
Egerton University has a main campus in Njoro and a Nakuru Town Campus College (NTCC) that provides self-sponsored programs. The Njoro campus is known for its well-equipped laboratories, research facilities, and extensive farm lands used for practical training in agriculture. The university has a student population of over 20,000 and is ranked among the top universities in Kenya.
Kabarak University
Kabarak University is a private chartered institution with its main campus located in Kabarak, about 15 km from Nakuru town. It also has a Nakuru Town Campus situated in the heart of Nakuru city. The university was established in 2002 and offers programs in business, engineering, arts, and other disciplines at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Kabarak University is known for its modern facilities, small class sizes, and strong emphasis on character development. The institution has a student population of around 5,000 and is ranked among the top private universities in Kenya. The Nakuru Town Campus provides convenient access to higher education for students residing in Nakuru and its environs.
Mount Kenya University, Nakuru Campus
Mount Kenya University is a private institution with a campus located in Nakuru town. The university was established in 1996 and has since expanded to have campuses in various parts of Kenya, including Nakuru.
The Nakuru campus offers programs in business, information technology, and other fields at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The campus has modern facilities, including well-equipped computer labs and a library. Mount Kenya University is known for its flexible learning options, such as evening and weekend classes, making it accessible to working students.
The university has a student population of over 30,000 across its campuses and is ranked among the top private universities in Kenya. The Nakuru campus provides higher education opportunities to students in the region, contributing to the development of human capital in the area.
TOP COLLEGES IN NAKURU
In the heart of Nakuru, Kenya, two prominent institutions are leading the charge in equipping the nation’s youth with the skills and knowledge needed to drive economic transformation.
The Rift Valley Institute of Business Studies (RVIBS) and the Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology (RVIST) are TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) powerhouses, each with its own unique approach to empowering the next generation of Kenyan professionals.
The Rift Valley Institute of Business Studies (RVIBS)
RVIBS, a registered TVET institution, has been operating for 17 years and has established a strong presence in Nakuru. With its main campus in the heart of the town, the college has expanded its reach to include campuses in Njoro and Gilgil as well. RVIBS takes pride in its ability to offer a diverse range of courses that are tailored to support the government’s Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which focuses on key areas such as agricultural transformation, MSME development, housing, healthcare, and the digital economy. The college’s curriculum is designed to be aligned with industry standards and the evolving needs of the Kenyan job market, utilizing syllabi approved by various accrediting bodies, including the Kenya Institute of Education, KASNEB, and City & Guilds of London. Over the years, RVIBS has trained students in a wide range of fields, from engineering and journalism to cosmetology, fashion design, business, and ICT, producing graduates who are highly sought after in their respective industries.
Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology (RVIST)
RVIST is a larger TVET institution that offers a comprehensive range of full-time and part-time courses, from certificate to higher diploma level. The institute has three campuses—two in Nakuru and one in Kericho—covering nine academic departments, including agriculture, engineering, ICT, hospitality, and business studies. RVIST’s curriculum is approved by reputable bodies such as the Kenya Institute of Education (KIE), Kenya Accountants and Secretaries Board (KASNEB), and City and Guilds of London, with students being examined by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), KASNEB, City and Guilds, and other relevant authorities, ensuring the quality and recognition of their qualifications.
Both RVIBS and RVIST have established valuable partnerships to enhance their offerings and support their students. RVIST, in particular, has a long-standing partnership with Delta College in the USA, which has provided the institute with a wealth of resources, including computers, medical equipment, textbooks, and other educational materials.
The Kenyan government has also played a significant role in supporting RVIST’s development, providing funding for the construction of new facilities such as classrooms, a library complex, and state-of-the-art science labs, demonstrating the government’s commitment to strengthening the country’s TVET sector.
RVIBS and RVIST are not only focused on delivering high-quality technical and vocational education but also on ensuring that their institutions are inclusive and accessible to all. Both institutions have implemented quality management systems, established farming production units, and taken other initiatives to enhance their service delivery and facilities. RVIST, in particular, has emphasized its commitment to inclusivity, stating that it “does not discriminate on account of gender or disability,” aligning with the Kenyan government’s efforts to promote equal access to education and skills development opportunities.
