The release of the Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings 2024 by Times Higher Education has sparked significant attention in Kenya, with Embu University emerging as the country’s top institution. In contrast, the University of Nairobi (UoN) has slipped to eighth place, marking a noticeable shift in the academic landscape.
Embu University surpassed its competitors to claim the top spot, followed by Strathmore University, Mount Kenya University, and USIU, with Kibabii University completing the top five. Murang’a University, Kabarak University, and UoN secured the sixth, seventh, and eighth positions, respectively. Rounding out the top ten were Kabianga and Lukenya Universities.
The rankings assessed 129 universities across 22 African countries using a variety of criteria, including financial stability, resource allocation, teaching quality, faculty-to-student ratios, graduate employability, and ethical leadership.
South Africa dominated the rankings, with the University of Johannesburg, the University of Pretoria, and the University of Witwatersrand claiming the top three positions. Kenya placed third overall with 54 points, behind South Africa (65) and Ghana (57).
Kenya’s performance highlights the country’s growing influence in Africa’s higher education sector. However, the rankings also signal the need for institutions like UoN to innovate and enhance their offerings in order to stay competitive. With Embu and Murang’a leading the charge, Kenya’s universities are increasingly gaining regional recognition, but there is still a challenge to improve their global standing.
