Kenya Technical University Of Kenya, the Technical University of Kenya shares history with the development of the first three higher education institutions in East Africa. In the 1920s there were heightened agitations for the expansion of access to higher education by indigenous leaders in the East African Territories. Concerted efforts in the form of committees, commissions and conferences resulted in positive developments that included the elevation of Makerere Institute of to Makerere University College of the University of London in 1949, proposal to establish the Royal Technical College of East Africa (RTCEA) in Nairobi was approved and construction started on 25th January 1952 and establishment of Dar es Salaam University College in 1961.
RTC in Nairobi admitted the first cohort of students pursuing Architecture, Arts, Domestic Science, and Engineering and Science in 1956. Simultaneously, another group of students were registered to the Kenya Technical Institute but admitted (in 1956) within the tuition of RTCEA in Nairobi.
The Government of Kenya immediately initiated the development of the Kenya Technical Institute at its present site within Nairobi CBD in three phases. The first phase, 1957-1958, comprised planning and working drawing. Activities of the second phase included construction of administration block, tuition block and supply of equipment in the period 1958-1959. The third phase, 1959-1960, covered the construction of laboratory wing, workshops, roads and site work and supply of equipment. The Kenya Technical Institute started operating on its new site from 1st January 1961 with the relocation of students from tution blocks of RTCEA but was only officially opened on 29th May 1961. It was later renamed the Kenya Polytechnic.
Vision, Mission and Values
- To be a top rated University of technology
- To provide technological education and training and to contribute towards the advancement of society through research and innovation
- Education and training for the real world
- To train high and middle level personnel for both public and private sectors.
TU-K Values
Technical University of Kenya has adopted the following set of values and guiding principles towards the achievement of its mission and vision:
- Creativity and Innovation:To embrace originality, authenticity and imagination in all areas of operation.
- Excellence:Commitment to excellence and the provision of quality services.
- Respect:
Respect in our dealings with customers both internal and external. - Integrity and Impartiality:The guiding principles are observance of ethical behaviour and promotion of self discipline and personal integrity, commitment to transparency and accountability in all corporate endeavours, honesty, fairness, justice and trust.
- Customer Focus:Management and administration operations are structured and geared towards satisfying and exceeding customer expectations.
- Social Responsibility:Responsibility to societal needs is governed by; being at the forefront in providing leadership in national agenda, inculcating culture of care for others and proactive dialogue with stakeholders, promoting social responsibility programmes that add value to society, and enhance the public image of the institution, including human rights, labour rights, the environment and community, being responsive to disadvantaged members of the society including physically challenged persons, promoting and defending the freedom of association, having the courage to initiate and adapt to change among others.
- Professionalism:Professionalism will be upheld and safeguarded at all times.
- Team Spirit:The fundamental operating principles are oriented and focused on synergy as a mode of operation so as to maximize the institution’s total productivity.
- Guiding Principle:The TU-K management will adopt a results-based approach in conception, delivery, monitoring and evaluation of its programmes; within which rational resource allocation will be upheld.