Public Universities in Kenya are owned by the government but private ones are owned by individuals or churches. We wash leave churches out of this article and concentrate on individuals, who are entrepreneurs. If you didn’t know the names of people who own some of the most popular private universities in the country, we shall reveal them.
ZETECH UNIVERSITY
Zetech University, which was once a college, is owned by Ken Mbiuki, who is a gifted entrepreneur.
Mbiuki secured a Sh 160 million from Barclays Bank which he used to start a college,Zetech College, which was later upgraded to become university.Today,Zetech is the fastest growing university in the country.
MOUNT KENYA UNIVERSITY
When you talk about Mount Kenya University you have to mention Dr. Simon Gicharu,the man who incorporated the giant institution with a seed capital of Ksh20,000.
Dr.Gicharu established Kenya Entrepreneurship Promotion Programme (KEPP), which provided micro-loans and training to young entrepreneurs .KEPP later started offering training in computers and changed its name to Thika School of Management Studies (TSMS), with introduction of Management courses. Gradually, TSMS increased its student enrolment and the number of courses. The type of courses it offered was determined by the job demands of the day and with the explosion in use of information science and technology, TSMS changed its name to Thika Institute of Technology (TIT) in 2003.
In 2008, Thika Institute of Technology (TIT) was renamed and the name Mount Kenya University came into being. That was after former President,Mwai Kibaki,awarded the university a charter and it started offering degree and postgraduate courses.
GRETSA UNIVERSITY
Gretsa University is owned by Kibathi Mbugua family, one of the richest families in the country.
The family, which also venture into real estate,own 100 % stake of the training institution.Gretsa University has assets estimated to be upwards of Ksh 5 billion,all in the name of Mbugua family.
RIARA UNIVERSITY
Eddah Gachukia is the founder of Riara Group of Schools, which later gave birth to Riara University. The University is located along Mbagathi Road and offers undergraduate and post graduate courses.
