Accreditation report

Abstract

The history of Kenyatta University dates back to 1965 when the British Government handed over the then Templer Barracks to the Government of Kenya. The Barracks were converted to a college known as Kenyatta College. It offered Secondary and Teacher Training Education leading to the award of Secondary Teacher 1 (S1) and Secondary Teacher Advanced Level (SA) certificates. Following an Act of Parliament in 1970, Kenyatta College became a constituent college of the University of Nairobi (UoN) and was renamed Kenyatta University College (KUC). In 1975, the Teacher Training Education Programmes, Si and SA, were phased out to give way to the Bachelor of Education degree programme and a two-year Undergraduate Diploma in Education.

The Universities Act No.42 of 2012 Act repealed all the seven Public Universities Acts including the Kenyatta University’s Act Cap 214. Accordingly, all Public Universities existing before the commencement of the Universities Act No.42 of 2012 were required to take steps prescribed under this Act (section 13 (1), including the an institutional audit, to obtain a Charter in accordance to section 72 (1). The purpose of the audit was to verify if Kenyatta University had met the expected requirements for the award of Charter.

The Commission then established a panel of professionals to study the Kenyatta University’s Self-Assessment Report and use it as a basis for carrying out institutional audit (verification of the physical facilities and academic resources) at Kenyatta University, and thereafter to develop and submit a report and recommendations for CUE’s consideration and adoption.

The Commission for University Education audited Kenyatta University in February 2013 and was satisfied that the institution had met minimum requirements in governance, Academic Programmes, and Academic resources. The University was expected to implement recommendations contained in the Accreditation and Audit Report in order to enhance the quality of teaching it offers to its students and play a greater role in the development of this country. A summary of the Commission's findings including an update of the current status is contained in this report.

The Commission for University Education recommended that Kenyatta University be awarded a Charter. This accreditation report is in two (2) volumes: a) Volume 1 contains the Charter, Historical background, philosophical and the accreditation process that let to award of Charter; and b) Volume 2 contains the programmes offered by the University.