Nyandarua to get its first ever University

By Newsflash Team

Nyandarua County is set to establish its first-ever university following the official gazettement of Nyandarua University College, a constituent college of the University of Nairobi.

The order was issued by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migosi through a Gazette Notice on Friday, March 28, 2025, marking a historic moment for the region.

A dream realized after years of advocacy

The journey to establish a university in Nyandarua has been long and challenging.

For years, leaders and residents have pushed for an institution of higher learning, arguing that the county has been left behind in university education. Their efforts have finally borne fruit, thanks to sustained lobbying led by Governor Kiarie Badilisha and other political leaders from the region.

Nyandarua, known for its vast agricultural potential, has long lacked a university, forcing students to seek higher education in neighboring counties. The establishment of Nyandarua University College will not only improve access to university education but also contribute to the county’s economic growth.

Governor Kiarie Badilisha and Prof Margaret Jesang Hutchinson (Vice Chancellor- the University Nairobi). Photo/KNA

Reacting to the news, Nyandarua Woman Representative Faith Gitau termed the development as a new beginning for the county.

“This is a new chapter for our county. Our students will no longer have to travel long distances to access university education,” she said.

Leshau Pondo MCA Kamau Gathungu, who also chairs the Education Committee in the Nyandarua County Assembly, commended Governor Badilisha for his commitment to seeing the project through.

“As the chairman of the Education Committee, I take this opportunity to congratulate Governor Kiarie Badilisha. He has burned the midnight oil and walked the extra mile to ensure equity is done and Nyandarua has its first university,” he said.

University of Nairobi’s commitment

The University of Nairobi has pledged to mentor Nyandarua University College into a fully-fledged university. This follows a high-level visit on April 3, 2024, by a delegation from the University of Nairobi to assess infrastructure development and preparedness.

The team, led by Deputy Vice-Chancellor – Academic Affairs, Prof Leonidah Kerubo, included:

Prof Moses Nyangito – Dean, Faculty of Agriculture
Prof. eremiah Kalai – Dean, Faculty of Education
Bernard Njuguna – Registrar, Administration
Experts from finance, quality assurance, and infrastructure development

During their visit, Badilisha reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the institution’s establishment. He highlighted the county’s need for a specialized institution that addresses its unique economic and educational challenges.

“We don’t just want a university. We want an institution that will address knowledge gaps in niche areas such as crops and animal sciences, sports sciences, and foundational education, including Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE). This will be a premier training institution that directly benefits our community,” he stated.

Next steps and future prospects

The gazettement of Nyandarua University College paves the way for the next phase, including curriculum development, recruitment of faculty, and infrastructure expansion.

The county government, in collaboration with the University of Nairobi and the Commission for University Education (CUE), has already begun laying the groundwork for these processes.

The establishment of the university is expected to:

Boost local education levels, offering Nyandarua students a chance to study closer to home.
Enhance economic growth, with businesses around the university expected to thrive.
Promote agricultural research and innovation, leveraging Nyandarua’s strengths in dairy farming and crop production.
Create jobs for academic and non-academic staff, improving the local job market.

The proposed site for the establishment of Nyandarua University College at Ol Joro Orok Aricultural Training Centre (ATC) Photo/Handout

As Nyandarua celebrates this milestone, local leaders are urging residents to support the institution’s development, ensuring it becomes a center of excellence in higher education and research.

Key milestones in the establishment of Nyandarua University College:

September 2022 – Governor Moses Kiarie Badilisha revives the ‘University of Nyandarua’s Steering Committee,’ which develops a strategic plan and roadmap for the university.
15th November 2022 – County leadership, including the Governor and elected MPs, agrees in principle to establish the university.
11th December 2022 – Governor Badilisha submits the initial report to President William Ruto at a thanksgiving service at Wanjohi Primary School. The President approves the establishment of the university and adopts the committee’s findings.
3rd February 2023 – Governor Badilisha presents the Steering Committee’s report to the CEO of the Commission for University Education (CUE), Prof. Mike Kuria, in preparation for the issuance of a Legal Notice.
2nd June 2023 – The report is presented to the then University of Nairobi Vice Chancellor, Prof Stephen Kiama. The university agrees to incubate the proposed university until its full establishment. The matter is forwarded to the University Council for adoption.
28th March 2024 – Governor Badilisha presents a progress report to the then Education CS Ezekiel Machogu, initiating legal processes and development of necessary instruments.
27th March 2024 – A delegation from the Ministry of Education and CUE, led by Prof Urbanas Mutuiwa, visits Nyandarua to aid in the preparation of legal instruments for the university.
3rd April 2024 – The University of Nairobi conducts an initial assessment of infrastructure and preparedness in Nyandarua. The team is led by DVC – Academic Affairs, Prof Leonidah Kerubo.
17th January 2025 – A team from the University of Nairobi, led by DVC Prof Ayub Gitau, inspects the ATC facility in preparation for the university.
28th January 2025 – A joint inspection team, led by UoN Vice Chancellor Prof Margaret Hutchinson and CUE, conducts an assessment at ATC Oljororok.
24th March 2025 – Governor Badilisha meets with President Ruto to brief him on progress and the need for the Legal Notice.
27th March 2025 – The Commission for University Education grants the Legal Notice officially establishing the university college.
28th March 2025 – Legal Notice No. 70 is published in the Kenya Gazette, formally establishing the University of Nyandarua.