This archive report was first published on 18 October 2019.
On October 18, 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta awarded a charter to Umma University, a fully fledged university based in Kajiado County, after the institution met requirements by the Commission for University Education and the Ministry of Education.
The university, which first started as a diploma college in Thika, was granted the charter, Mace, Logo, Seal, and two volumes of the accreditation report at a ceremony held at State House, Mombasa.
Kenya Red Cross Society Secretary General Abbas Gullet was installed as the first Chancellor of the University, while Dr. Idle Farah is the Vice-Chancellor.
President Kenyatta challenged the university to offer quality education and contribute to the development of the country by specializing in fields that contribute directly to the growth of the Kenyan economy.
“With the award of this Charter, I expect that Umma University will uphold the standard and quality outlined in the University Act No. 42 of 2012, with the guidance of University Education,” President Kenyatta said.
He noted that Kenya’s reputation as the home of quality university education in Africa is on the rise and urged stakeholders in higher education to ensure that high standards of university management, research, and teaching are upheld.
Education CS Prof. George Magoha also spoke at the event, challenging the university to specialize in disciplines such as environment to have a bigger impact in its home county and regions with similar climatic conditions.
