National Intelligence Research University (NIRU)

Chartered on 5th November 2024 by President William Ruto, the National Intelligence Research University (NIRU) is the region's pioneer security and research institution. Originally established as the National Intelligence Academy (NIA) and later constituted as a constituent college of NDU-K, NIRU became autonomous upon chartering. Located in Nairobi, the university serves over 1,500 students.

The university operates two schools: Intelligence and Security Studies, and Policy Studies. Its programmes are designed to boost Kenya's capacity to deal with modern security threats including organised terror and cyber threats, with facilities including secure archives and computer labs for classified research.

Accredited by CUE and the National Intelligence Service (NIS), NIRU ranks 66th nationally. Its establishment reflects the government's recognition that intelligence and security education require specialised, dedicated academic infrastructure beyond what conventional universities can provide.

NIRU's research focuses on cybersecurity, intelligence analysis, and national security policy, publishing the Kenya Intelligence Review and conducting classified and unclassified research that directly informs Kenya's intelligence and security apparatus. The School of Intelligence and Security Studies conducts research on intelligence gathering methodologies, threat analysis, counterterrorism strategies, and cybersecurity — addressing both conventional and emerging security challenges facing Kenya and the East African region. The School of Policy Studies investigates security policy formulation, governance, and the intersection of intelligence with national development policy. Partnership with the Kenya School of Intelligence and the African Intelligence and Security Services Association supports collaborative research and regional intelligence capacity building. The National Intelligence Service (NIS) affiliation ensures that research directly serves national security needs while maintaining academic rigour. Research output increasingly informs national security policy, intelligence practice, and regional security cooperation, positioning NIRU as a critical institution for Kenya's security sector research and development.