Kenya’s private universities have become the top choice for international students, enrolling more than four out of every five foreign learners, leaving public universities trailing behind.
The University Statistics 2024/2025 Report by the Commission for University Education shows that a total of 14,879 international students are studying in Kenya, representing 2.4 per cent of the overall university population of 628,541.
Of these, 12,076 learners, or 81 per cent, are in private institutions, while only 2,803, or 19 per cent, are in public universities.
United States International University Africa leads the list with 4,145 international students, making it the single largest destination for foreign learners in Kenya.
It is followed by the University of Nairobi with 1,223, the highest among public institutions, while Strathmore University is third with 1,198. Other universities in 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).
Some universities, however, have barely attracted any international students. The report notes that Rongo University, the Co-operative University of Kenya and Uzima University each host only two.
University leaders have attributed the dominance of private institutions to deliberate strategies aimed at building global visibility. Daniel Mugendi, Chairman of the Vice Chancellors’ Committee, said private universities have aggressively marketed themselves 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 Vice Chancellor of the University of Embu, added that private universities have adopted flexible admission processes and forged international partnerships, making them more attractive to foreign learners.
On the other hand, he noted, public universities are weighed down by small marketing budgets and continue to depend mainly on government-sponsored 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,” the report states.
