A Timeline of The Co-operative University of Kenya
1952: Establishment of a Co-operative training institution
The first cooperative in Kenya was founded by the Colonial Government in 1908… In 1952, the School of Cooperative was started at the then Jeans School (now Kenya School of Government).
1967: The Co-operative College of Kenya was established
The Co-operative College of Kenya was established with 40 students at Allen Road… later gave way to construction at Ushirika Road, Karen.
1970 (June 18th): Mzee Jomo Kenyatta laid a foundation stone
The founding President of the Republic of Kenya, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, laid a foundation stone of the College, still evidenced by the stone at the main entrance towards the Nordic Assembly Hall.
1974 – 1982: The College was able to host three diploma courses
College facilities were expanded to cope with rising demand for co-operative business education and training. The College was able to host three diploma courses, representing the highest and most esteemed college education level at the time.
1983: The Mission of the College was defined
The mission of the College was defined as: “A national training institute involved in training personnel of co-operative societies and unions, as well as middle cadre government officers who help in supervision of the movement on behalf of the Ministry of Co-operative Development.”
2005: The Co-operative College launched its first degree programme
The College launched its first degree programme, the Bachelor of Co-operative Business, in collaboration with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).
2011: The Co-operative College is upgraded to a University College
The Co-operative College was upgraded to a University College by the third President of Kenya, H.E. Mwai Kibaki, through Legal Notice No. 161 of 2011.
2016 (October 7th): The University College awarded Charter
The University College was awarded a Charter by the fourth President of Kenya, H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta — son of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, who laid the foundation stone in 1970. It became The Co-operative University of Kenya, the first of its kind.