Kamagambo becomes Kenya’s 90th university as Ruto issues Interim Authority

President William Ruto on Tuesday issued a letter of interim authority to Kamagambo University, formally admitting the institution into Kenya’s higher-education system as the number of universities authorised to operate in the country rises to 90.

The university based in Migori County will be the third private university operated by the Adventist Church after the Eastern African University, Baraton and the Adventist University of Africa in Ongata Rongai.

Speaking at Kisumu State Lodge on Tuesday, Dr Ruto said the letter of interim authority allows Kamagambo University to commence operations within an approved mandate as it works toward meeting the requirements for a full university charter.

He challenged the leadership of the university to maintain high academic standards and focus on research, entrepreneurship and solutions to national challenges.

Under interim authority, the university may establish its governing organs, develop academic resources and, subject to approval by the Commission for University Education (CUE). It will initially admit students into three academic programmes: Bachelor of Education in Arts; Bachelor of Arts in Theology with Entrepreneurship; and Bachelor of Business Administration with Entrepreneurship.

The president highlighted Kamagambo’s long history in education, tracing its roots to the Adventist mission that was established in 1912 and its subsequent development as a teacher training institution whose graduates have served in schools across Kenya.

Dr Ruto said the institution now has an opportunity to build on that heritage by expanding from teacher training college to the preparation of professionals, entrepreneurs and leaders.

“Its history gives it a foundation, while its performance will determine its future,” he said.

The President also pointed to the rapid expansion of Kenya's higher-education sector since the University of Nairobi became Kenya's first national university in 1970 and said the issuance of the Letter of Interim Authority to Kamagambo brings the number of institutions authorised to operate as universities to 90.

According to the Commission for University Education, about 630,000 students in Kenya were pursuing degree programmes in 2024, while nearly 124,000 graduated that year, compared with approximately 100,000 graduates the previous year. However, Dr Ruto cautioned that increased access must be matched by quality and relevance.

“Access without quality disappoints the student and quality without relevance disappoints the nation,” he said, arguing that universities should ultimately be assessed by the competence of their graduates, the value of their research and the practical solutions they provide to society.

President Ruto called on universities to move beyond preparing students solely for employment and instead equip them to create businesses and solve problems. The President linked this agenda to sectors identified as priorities for Kenya's economic transformation, including agriculture, healthcare, affordable housing, the digital economy and renewable energy.

“A country that continually imports knowledge will continually import solutions,” Dr Ruto said, calling for Kenya to become a country that produces, applies and exports knowledge.

He also called for stronger cooperation between universities, industry and government, saying employers should help shape curricula while universities expose students to workplaces and real-world challenges. Kamagambo's emphasis on entrepreneurship in two of its initial three degree programmes, he said, should be reflected in students' practical experiences.

The President further urged Kamagambo University to remain closely connected to the region it serves, particularly Migori County and the wider Lake Region. He urged residents of Migori and the wider Nyanza region to support the institution while holding it accountable to high standards.

He expressed hope that the institution would ultimately become known not only for the degrees it awards, but also for the teachers it equips, enterprises it inspires and problems it helps Kenya solve.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said the granting of the interim authority made Kamagambo Kenya’s 90th authorised university.

He said the milestone should be viewed not merely as an addition to the number of universities, but as a responsibility to strengthen the country’s higher education system.

The CS urged Kamagambo to strengthen its academic staff, facilities and systems before increasing student numbers.

“Access without quality is a disservice. I urge Kamagambo, therefore, to build capacity, to build staff, facilities, and standards before expanding enrollment,” he said.

Commission for University Education chairman Prof James Onyango said the interim authority marked another step in Kamagambo’s journey towards a full university charter.

He stressed that the Commission’s role would continue after the licence was issued through regular monitoring and guidance as the institution develops.

“The Commission has the statutory responsibility to regulate, coordinate, and assure the quality of university education in this country,” he said.

Prof Onyango urged Kamagambo to make quality part of its institutional culture rather than wait for the regulator to impose standards.

The chairman of the Kamagambo Adventist College Board, Dr Samuel Misiani, pledged to build the institution into a centre of excellence and ensure its graduates meet the standards expected of Adventist universities worldwide.

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