President William Ruto has granted Kamagambo University a Letter of Interim Authority, allowing it to begin operations and raising the number of institutions authorised to operate as universities in Kenya to 90.
Ruto issued the authority at Kisumu State Lodge on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, saying the institution must now demonstrate strong governance, academic integrity and quality as it works towards securing a full Charter.
Under the interim authority, Kamagambo University can establish its governing structures, develop academic resources and, subject to approval by the Commission for University Education (CUE), admit students.
The university will initially offer three programmes: Bachelor of Education in Arts, Bachelor of Arts in Theology with Entrepreneurship, and Bachelor of Business Administration with Entrepreneurship.
“The word ‘interim’ matters. Kamagambo has crossed the threshold, but it has not reached its destination,” Ruto said.
The President warned that Kenya's rapid expansion of university education must be matched by quality, relevance and graduates capable of solving problems and creating employment.
“Access without quality disappoints the student and quality without relevance disappoints the nation,” he said.
Ruto cited CUE figures showing that about 630,000 students were pursuing degree programmes in Kenya in 2024, with nearly 124,000 graduating, up from about 100,000 the previous year.
He challenged universities to strengthen their links with industry and ensure research produces practical solutions in agriculture, healthcare, housing, renewable energy and the digital economy.
“A country that continually imports knowledge will continually import solutions. Kenya must become a nation that produces knowledge, applies it, and exports it,” Ruto said.
He said academic research should move beyond journals and laboratories to address problems in farms, classrooms, clinics, factories and businesses.
Kamagambo traces its roots to an Adventist mission established in 1912 and later developed into a teacher-training institution.
It becomes the third private university established by the Adventist Church in Kenya, after the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton, and the Adventist University of Africa in Ongata Rongai.
Ruto urged the institution to remain connected to Migori County and the wider Lake Region and to resist expanding its programmes too quickly.
“Depth must come before breadth, and excellence before expansion,” he said.
The President said Kamagambo should focus on producing competent teachers, principled theologians and business graduates capable of building enterprises, cooperatives and value chains.
“The Letter I issue today opens the door. What Kamagambo builds beyond it will depend on the strength of its leadership, the quality of its scholarship and the courage of its ambition,” Ruto said.
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