Kenya is among the countries that have been recognized as a top country when it comes to university education. According to research from different independent bodies, Kenyan universities have been acknowledged to produce graduates who are ready for the market.
The rankings rates performance based on various indicators such as teaching, research and research impact, innovation and international outlook.
Competition
The competitive nature of universities in Kenya has seen the rise of better and efficient universities both in public and private sector. We have a total of 44 (excluding colleges and training institutes) universities, out of this number the public universities still outshine the private ones in efficiency and popularity. The private universities are piling up pressure on public universities, and we are waiting to see if the public universities will keep gaining or losing their standards.
In Nairobi
Universities based in the capital, Nairobi the top ten include University of Nairobi, Moi University, Strathmore University, Kenyatta University, United States International University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology (JKUAT), Mount Kenya University, Catholic University of East Africa (CUEA), Egerton University and Maseno University.
The most popular private universities in Kenya are United States International University, Catholic University of East Africa, and Strathmore University in Nairobi.
The body that does an independent research on world university rankings Webometrics, collects its data between 1st and 10th January every year. The second data collection is done July the same year. On every criterion that is to be used, data collection is done at least twice to minimize errors or perceived mistakes.
The following is a list of the latest top 100 university and colleges rankings in Kenya. The list is arranged in their correct ranking order according to Webometrics
| University of Nairobi |
| Egerton University |
| Kenyatta University |
| Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology |
| Maseno University |
| Strathmore University Nairobi |
| Catholic University of Eastern Africa |
| Masinde Muliro University of Science & Technology |
| Kenya Medical Training College |
| South Eastern Kenya University |
| Kenya Methodist University |
| United States International University |
| Mount Kenya University |
| Pwani University |
| Technical University of Kenya |
| Michuki Technical Institute Muranga |
| African Virtual University |
| Zetech University |
| Technical University of Mombasa (Mombasa Polytechnic University College) |
| Masai Mara University |
Research Objectives
The initial idea behind university rankings was to promote publication. The primary target is to ensure that educational material and scientific publications are available through open access initiatives and electronically. Ranking using web indicators is the most appropriate method because the final result does not depend on the number of visitors per site. Webometrics base their rankings on visibility and global performance of each university.
There may be other research findings that are directly linked to relevant criteria. Web indicators rankings used by Webometrics give more details such as the activities of professors and researchers in each institution. This enables the researchers to gain access to both formal and informal scholarly communication.
Another reason why ranking using publications is appropriate is because of its ease availability and guarantees high standards of quality. The peer review process ensures quality is achieved. Researchers are also able to reach far-flung universities without having to visit the places.
