Public universities opened their doors to a record 164,423 first-year students for the 2025/2026 academic year, with the University of Nairobi (UoN) topping the list at 11,700 admissions, followed closely by Kenyatta University with 11,079 and Kisii University with 8,213.
The students, placed through the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), began reporting in August and September.
Orientation and registration were carried out across all 42 public universities and constituent colleges, as the new entrants settle into campus life under a reduced fee structure introduced this year.
These reforms are intended to ease the cost burden on parents while expanding opportunities for disadvantaged students. Many institutions, including UoN and Egerton University, are embracing blended learning models — combining physical and online instruction — and encouraging students to acquire laptops and digital devices to meet the demands of modern teaching.
Admissions Snapshot
Kenyatta University admitted 11,079, followed by Kisii University 8,213, Maseno University 7,988, and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology 7,625. Other oversized intakes include Egerton University (6,444), Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (6,437), and Chuka University (6,528).
Mid-sized universities such as Moi University (6,045), University of Eldoret (5,370), and Tharaka University (4,587) also recorded healthy numbers. At the same time, regional players like Rongo University (4,182) and Karatina University (4,507) continued to attract strong interest.
Smaller campuses played their part, with Garissa University admitting 941, Alupe University (1,251), Turkana University College (2,220), and Kabarnet University College (648). Nyandarua University College had the lowest intake with 173 students, reflecting its relatively young status.
S/No. University/University College Number of First Years 1 University of Embu 3,692 2 University of Nairobi 11,700 3 Kenyatta University 11,079 4 Moi University 6,045 5 Egerton University 6,444 6 Maasai Mara University 3,599 7 University of Eldoret 5,370 8 Maseno University 7,988 9 Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Agriculture 7,625 10 Kirinyaga University 3,209 11 Kibabii University 3,609 12 Rongo University 4,182 13 Karatina University 4,507 14 Kisii University 8,213 15 Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology 2,950 16 Pwani University 3,136 17 Laikipia University 3,533 18 South Eastern Kenya University 2,465 19 Machakos University 3,578 20 Murang’a University of Technology 4,546 21 Co-operative University of Kenya 2,617 22 Technical University of Mombasa 2,636 23 Taita Taveta University 1,380 24 Multi-Media University 2,728 25 Meru University of Science and Technology 3,440 26 Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology 6,437 27 Chuka University 6,528 28 Dedan Kimathi University of Technology 2,097 29 Kaimosi Friends University 2,300 30 Garissa University 941 31 Alupe University 1,251 32 University of Kabianga 3,934 33 Tom Mboya University 4,009 34 Turkana University College 2,220 35 Koitaleel Samoei University College 1,427 36 Tharaka University 4,587 37 Bomet University College 3,207 38 Technical University of Kenya 2,747 39 Mama Ngina University College 814 40 Open University Of Kenya 832 41 Nyandarua University College 173 42 Kabarnet University College 648
The government through Higher Department of Learning under Ministry of Education has promised continued investment in digital infrastructure, affordable housing for students, and financial support through HELB to ensure equity.
From Nairobi to Narok, Kisii to Turkana, public universities are buzzing with new energy as first-years take their first steps into higher education — a journey that will define their futures and, ultimately, the nation’s.
By Joseph Mambili
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