Strathmore University Overtakes Kenyatta University in Latest 2026 UniRank Rankings
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Kenyatta University has dropped to third place in the latest university rankings released by UniRank, with Strathmore University rising to second position.
The University of Nairobi maintained its place as the top-ranked university in Kenya in the 2026 rankings, which featured 69 accredited institutions of higher learning.
Strathmore University recorded one of the biggest improvements in this year’s rankings after moving ahead of Kenyatta University. Mount Kenya University was ranked fourth, while Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology (JKUAT) completed the top five.
According to UniRank, the rankings are based on factors such as a university’s popularity, online presence and academic visibility.
United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa) was placed sixth, followed by Moi University in seventh position and Egerton University in eighth.
The Technical University of Kenya (TUK) and Kenya Methodist University rounded off the top ten institutions in the country.
Other universities that featured prominently include Catholic University, KCA University, Murang’a University, Maseno University and the University of Embu.
Daystar University and Pwani University were ranked 16th and 17th respectively, while Zetech University, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Tangaza University, Kabarak University and Chuka University also appeared among the top institutions.
Kisii University, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kirinyaga University, Kibabii University and the Technical University of Mombasa were also listed in the rankings.
UniRank said only universities recognised by the Commission for University Education (CUE), offering degree programmes and conducting face-to-face learning, were considered.
The latest rankings come at a time when universities are competing to attract more students, research opportunities and international partnerships, making reputation an important factor for growth.
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| Rank | University | Town |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Nairobi | Nairobi |
| 2 | Strathmore University | Nairobi |
| 3 | Kenyatta University | Nairobi |
| 4 | Mount Kenya University | Thika |
| 5 | Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology | Nairobi |
| 6 | United States International University Africa | Nairobi |
| 7 | Moi University | Eldoret |
| 8 | Egerton University | Njoro |
| 9 | Technical University of Kenya | Nairobi |
| 10 | Kenya Methodist University | Meru |
| 11 | The Catholic University of Eastern Africa | Nairobi |
| 12 | KCA University | Nairobi |
| 13 | Murang’a University of Technology | Murang’a |
| 14 | Maseno University | Maseno |
| 15 | University of Embu | Embu |
| 16 | Daystar University | Nairobi |
| 17 | Pwani University | Kilifi |
| 18 | Zetech University | Ruiru |
| 19 | Dedan Kimathi University of Technology | Nyeri |
| 20 | Tangaza University | Nairobi |
| 21 | Kabarak University | Nakuru |
| 22 | Chuka University | Chuka |
| 23 | Kisii University | Kisii |
| 24 | Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology | Kakamega |
| 25 | Africa Nazarene University | Nairobi |
| 26 | Kirinyaga University | Kerugoya |
| 27 | University of Eastern Africa, Baraton | Eldoret |
| 28 | Kibabii University | Bungoma |
| 29 | Technical University of Mombasa | Mombasa |
| 30 | Meru University of Science and Technology | Meru |
| 31 | Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology | Bondo |
| 32 | South Eastern Kenya University | Kitui |
| 33 | University of Eldoret | Eldoret |
| 34 | The Co-operative University of Kenya | Nairobi |
| 35 | Machakos University | Machakos |
| 36 | Karatina University | Karatina |
| 37 | St. Paul’s University | Limuru |
| 38 | Maasai Mara University | Narok |
| 39 | Amref International University | Nairobi |
| 40 | Laikipia University | Nyahururu |
| 41 | Great Lakes University of Kisumu | Kisumu |
| 42 | Riara University | Nairobi |
| 43 | Africa International University | Nairobi |
| 44 | Multimedia University of Kenya | Nairobi |
| 45 | Kiriri Women’s University of Science and Technology | Nairobi |
| 46 | Tom Mboya University | Homa Bay |
| 47 | Rongo University | Rongo |
| 48 | University of Kabianga | Kericho |
| 49 | Management University of Africa | Nairobi |
| 50 | The Presbyterian University of East Africa | Kikuyu |
| 51 | Garissa University | Garissa |
| 52 | Adventist University of Africa | Nairobi |
| 53 | Kaimosi Friends University | Kaimosi |
| 54 | Tharaka University | Marimanti |
| 55 | Taita Taveta University | Voi |
| 56 | Pan Africa Christian University | Nairobi |
| 57 | Umma University | Kajiado |
| 58 | Scott Christian University | Machakos |
| 59 | KAG East University | Nairobi |
| 60 | Uzima University | Kisumu |
| 61 | Lukenya University | Kambu |
| 62 | Pioneer International University | Nairobi |
| 63 | The East African University | Nairobi |
| 64 | International Leadership University, Kenya | Nairobi |
| 65 | Alupe University | Busia |
| 66 | GRETSA University | Thika |
| 67 | Islamic University of Kenya | Kisaju |
| 68 | Kenya Highlands University | Kericho |
| Unranked | Aga Khan University, Kenya | Nairobi |
