The story of Lukenya institutions starts in 1991 at the place known as Lukenya hills in Mavoko (Athi river), Machakos (then Kathiani division), where the founders the Late Honourable. Rtd Justice Kasanga Mulwa and his wife Martha Kasanga Mulwa, decided to establish the Lukenya Academy primary school on their cattle farm. From this humble start of just 8 students and basic facilities the school eventually grew and eventually spawned three high schools and a tertiary college now known as the Lukenya Schools.

The Family eventually decided in 2011 to venture into university education and put together a steering committee team led by Andrew Mullei (former governor of the central bank, Professor Nyaigotti Chacha and Harris Mule (former p.s Treasury ) to develop the plans for the university .

Hon.Justice Kasanga Mulwa who was a three time Member of Parliament for Kibwezi constituency (1969-1983) and Judge of the high court and East African Court of justice had lived his life in Makueni and seen the region fall back in development under successive governments. He felt the need to give back to his people and the country by establishing a centre of learning and research. He strongly felt that Kenya being 70 per cent arid and semi-arid deserved a university that would lean towards these areas and their unique economic needs. Thus he donated a farm he had bought in 1991 in Mtito andei ward as the location for the new university that would bring the world to Kibwezi.

Construction begun in 2012 with a traditional blessing prayers and ground breaking ceremony led by former Councillor Wilson Mutunga (Ngiti Mosu) a long-time friend of the family. The university was officially opened by Professor Kivutha Kibwana in May 2014, and operated as Lukenya College offering diplomas and certificates in various courses awaiting accreditation by the Ministry of education to offer degree programmes. The founder Justice Kasanga Mulwa Passed away in March 2015. Later that year the university was accredited and officially begun admitting students in May 2016, in degree courses.

The first vice chancellor was Prof Nyaigotti Chacha, who laid a strong foundation for the young university and helped set the path for the next 6 years. We are now a fully-fledged university with four schools, and twenty three programmes as at 2021. 

Vision & Mission

Lukenya University is a Private University  was duly accredited and registered by the Commission for University Education (CUE) through award of Letter of Interim Authority (November 2015).

We are located at Mtito- Andei Ward, in Makueni County in Kenya.  The Main Campus is built along the banks of the Athi River/Galana River and neighbouring the world famous Tsavo East National Park, approximately 270kms from Nairobi and 240kms from Mombasa.

We aim to be the best residential University in East Africa, by offering a wholesome learning experience for our students and faculty. We focus on creating a unique and intentional residential environment that fosters student learning and a strong sense of community. The residential model we believe ensures higher course completion rates, and lowers cost of education for the student by ensuring no commuting expenses and affordable accommodation rates.

We offer programmes in Post graduate, Undergraduate, Diplomas and Certificates levels at our main campus and via ODEL (Online learning). Our Flagship programme is the Dryland Farming (B.Sc. Dryland Agriculture) and other Drylands Focused programmes.  We also offer a variety of academic programmes for the 21st Century learners and run a trimester system of teaching and learning which avails to learners a more flexible approach to completing their studies.

Lukenya University operations are guided by key principles outlined in its Vision, Mission, Philosophy, Core Values and Motto.

Late Honourable Justice (rtd) Kasanga Mulwa

Martha Kasanga Mulwa

Vision

To be an institution that imparts to the community skills and knowledge based on relevant research, market-driven curricula and quality services.

Mission

Providing solutions through education, training, research and community service.

Philosophy

To embrace a Green Philosophy which fosters the use of innovative technologies in global food security, energy and sustainability, health and universal education.

Core Values

  1. Innovation
  2. Responsive
  3. Inclusive
  4. Integrity
  5. Team work
  6. Commitment to Community Service
  7. Excellence philosophy





9 Responses
  1. Brigid Rotich

    Hello Lukenya!
    Kindly advice a 37 year old mother , who did her kcse in 2004 and attained a mean grade of C plain. Is it possible to study education and get a job or am late?
    Again, do you offer Online/distance learning?
    Kindly get back to me! I would like to hear more from you.
    Thnx in advance.
    Yours Brigid Rotich.

  2. You are very welcome to our university. We admire your determination to pursue a career in education With a C, you qualify to do a diploma in Primary Teacher Education (DPTE) if you also scored a C in English, Maths, a Humanity and a Science. OR you can opt to to a Diploma in Early Childhood Teacher Education (DECTE). This one only needs a C mean score. We do have online learning, but only for undergraduate courses, not diplomas.

  3. Chaeles Kirithi Mungora

    Hello Lukenya University. I’m a P1 teacher in Ongata Rongai Kajiado County. I’m intersted in pursuing a BED Arts. Kindly let me know your flexibility in allowing one do their teaching practice within their job locality.

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  5. Brian Manani Mishilei

    Hello lukenya am a student who applied for a university and I was placed by kuccps in your institution and for sure am not that capable of paying full school fees

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