University of Nairobi (UON): is it still the university of choice for brilliant minds?

The University of Nairobi is the oldest university in Kenya. It has a rich tradition and has produced the largest number of graduates in Kenya. However, due to the demand for higher education in the country; Other universities were quickly established to meet the growing demand for higher education among Kenyans.

With many universities being created every day, is the University of Nairobi (UON) still the pre-eminent university in Kenya? The university offers courses in all disciplines and therefore remains the number one university for many. However, other universities are aggressively carving out a niche in other disciplines that are giving UON a run for its money.

Take the case of the Faculty of Medicine for example. Whereas before you had to train at the University of Nairobi Medical School to become a doctor, you can now train at Moi University and Kenyatta University. Another example is in engineering, where JKUAT University has carved a niche for itself in engineering disciplines. This is due in part to their long association with the Japanese government which allowed them to equip their labs to high standards. It seems that the UON lost this war against the JKUAT, although it is catching up in recent years.

The biggest discipline that has been affected is the MBA program. Private colleges like Strathmore and USIU are really giving college a run for its money. While the number still has the highest enrollment of MBA students in the country, it seems that some prospective students crave small, personalized classes and this is where the UON seems to have lost out. In general, however, the University remains a prime destination for brilliant minds, although cracks may begin to appear.