Kenyan private universities outshine public ones in attracting foreign students
Kenyan private universities outshine public ones in attracting foreign students
International students are increasingly choosing Kenya’s private universities over public ones, with new data showing they account for more than four out of every five foreign enrolments.
According to the University Statistics 2024/2025 Report by the Commission for University Education (CUE), a total of 14,879 international students are enrolled across Kenyan universities. With the overall student enrolment standing at 628,541 in 2024, foreign admissions represent just 2.4 per cent of that population.
Of these, 12,076 students, an overwhelming 81 per cent, are in private universities, while only 2,803 or 19 per cent are in public universities.
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The report shows that United States International University Africa (USIU–A) attracted the highest number of foreign learners at 4,145. It is followed by the University of Nairobi with 1,223, making it the leading public institution in admitting international students. Strathmore University comes in third with 1,198.
Other institutions that made it to the top 10 include Adventist University of Africa (899), Catholic University of Eastern Africa (870), Mount Kenya University (736), Kenyatta University (674), Daystar University (638), Kenya Methodist University (430) and Africa Nazarene University (416).
However, some universities have found it difficult to attract international learners. The report notes that institutions such as Rongo University, the Co-operative University of Kenya and Uzima University each host only two international students.
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University leaders argue that private universities have edged out their public counterparts by carving a niche in attracting international learners.
Daniel Mugendi, the Chairman of the Vice Chancellors’ Committee, the umbrella body representing university heads in Kenya, has said private institutions have aggressively marketed their programmes across the continent.
“They do big marketing campaigns, they also have presence outside the country, and this gives them an edge when it comes to attracting new students,” he said.
Mugendi, who also serves as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Embu, added that private universities have also embraced flexible admission systems and deliberately built global partnerships, further boosting their appeal.
In contrast, he noted, most public universities are constrained by limited marketing budgets and remain heavily dependent on government-sponsored local students.
“Kenyan universities continue to attract international students, particularly within private chartered institutions. However, the overall proportion of international students remains modest and is heavily concentrated in a few institutions,” reads the report.
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