Kirinyaga University (KyU)

Established in 2011 as Kirinyaga University College, a constituent college of JKUAT, and chartered in 2016, Kirinyaga University is located in Kirinyaga County. The university serves over 9,000 students across its Main Campus.

The university operates five schools including Business and Education, Pure and Applied Sciences, Health Sciences, Engineering and Technology, and Agriculture. Its engineering and technology programmes are accredited by the Engineering Board of Kenya (EBK), ensuring industry-ready graduates.

Accredited by CUE and EBK, the university ranks 37th nationally. It is the only public university headquartered in Kirinyaga County, serving as the primary higher education institution for the communities of central Kenya's Kirinyaga region.

Kirinyaga University focuses on research in agricultural innovation, renewable energy, ICT for development, and textile technology, with published papers in regional journals and ongoing collaborations. The School of Engineering and Technology advances research on appropriate technologies for agro-processing, renewable energy systems, and manufacturing, building on the university's technical institute foundation. The School of Hospitality and Textile Technology conducts research on textile production, fashion design, and hospitality management — areas with significant potential in Kirinyaga's agricultural and tourism economy. Partnership with China Three Gorges University supports collaborative research in engineering and water resource management, while the IUCEA affiliation ensures regional standards compliance. The School of Pure and Applied Sciences investigates water quality, indigenous plant resources, and soil health in the Mount Kenya region. Research output increasingly informs county-level industrial development, agricultural extension, and technical training across Kirinyaga and the surrounding counties.

A C+ mean grade is the minimum for a Bachelor's degree; competitive programmes (medicine, engineering, law, nursing, architecture) require higher grades and specific KCSE subject clusters. Master's programmes require a relevant Bachelor's degree; PhD programmes a relevant Master's degree.