Nyandarua University College: Awaiting CUE’s Green Light

Nyandarua County is on the verge of a major academic milestone. The Commission for University Education (CUE) conducted a technical inspection of the proposed Nyandarua University College on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. This evaluation is the final step before the institution secures interim registration as a constituent college of the University of Nairobi, marking the culmination of a decade-long effort to establish a university in the region.

The vision for a university in Nyandarua began in 2014 when county leaders identified higher education as a catalyst for regional development. In 2015, the county government partnered with the University of Nairobi to serve as a mentor institution, ensuring the new university met national academic and infrastructure standards.

During the inspection, a delegation from the University of Nairobi, led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Margaret Hutchinson, presented an extensive progress report. Experts from various departments, including ICT, Quality Assurance, Library, Finance, Facilities, Academic Division, and Human Resources, demonstrated the institution’s adherence to CUE’s standards. Deans from three faculties—Prof. Jeremiah Kalai (Education), Prof. Moses Nyangito (Agriculture), and Prof. James Njihia (Business and Management Science)—outlined the academic programmes set to launch, focusing on agriculture, education, and business to address Nyandarua’s socio-economic needs.

"Today marks a momentous occasion in our collective journey towards securing the letter of interim registration," said Prof. Hutchinson. "The groundwork laid by former Vice Chancellors Prof. Mbithi and Prof. Kiama, alongside our technical team’s dedication, has brought us closer to realizing this dream. We are deeply committed to ensuring that Nyandarua University College becomes a beacon of excellence, shaping the future of higher education in this region."

The county government has made significant investments in establishing Nyandarua University College, including repurposing the Agricultural Training Centre in Ol-Joro Orok as the initial campus. Nyandarua County Governor, Hon. Dr. Moses Kiarie Badilisha, emphasized the project's significance: "Our greatest expectation is to have a university that will transform this county, particularly by addressing our immediate needs in agriculture through proper research and innovation."

Eng. Prof. Gitau, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, reaffirmed the University of Nairobi’s commitment to mentoring the new institution. "Our role as a mentor institution is to ensure that Nyandarua University College upholds the highest academic and research standards. The programmes we have developed are designed to equip students with the skills necessary to drive innovation and economic growth in this region," he stated.

Prof. Urbanus Mutwiwa, CUE’s Deputy Commission Secretary for Accreditation, stressed the importance of regulatory compliance. "We are here to verify if the recommendations from our previous inspection have been implemented. Our goal is to ensure the institution meets all necessary standards for interim registration."

If granted approval, Nyandarua University College will join the ranks of University of Nairobi-mentored institutions such as Koitaleel Samoei University College, which is currently under mentorship, and Embu University, Machakos University, and the Technical University of Kenya which have since achieved full university status.

As the CUE deliberates on its final decision, stakeholders remain optimistic about the institution’s transformative potential for higher education in Nyandarua. Nyandarua University College stands as a testament to the county's dedication to fostering academic excellence, research, and innovation for generations to come.