Best Universities and Colleges to Study Nutrition and Dietetics In Kenya

In this article, we’ll be looking at the Best Universities and Colleges to Study Nutrition and Dietetics in Kenya.

1. Rift Valley Institute of Business Studies (RVIBS)

Rift Valley Institute of Business Studies (RVIBS) is a TVET institution that is registered and located in Nakuru Town at Station Road, near the Nakuru Railways Police Station. The institute was founded with the intention of positively impacting the lives of young people and creating success stories. Since its establishment in 2006 in Kericho, it has expanded and now has additional campuses in Njoro and Gilgil. Over the years, the college has trained more than 15,000 young men and women.

At RVIBS, the focus is on equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary for the workforce, with the goal of promoting sustainable economic growth and providing opportunities for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship. The institution offers a broad range of technical and business courses, leading to the award of artisan, certificate, and diploma qualifications. Students receive comprehensive skills training using a competency-based approach to learning.

RVIBS is committed to enhancing the quality of technical skills training in Kenya and improving the employability of all TVET graduates through appropriate skills development. The aim of the college is to provide learners with the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills that will enable them to create wealth and jobs.

The strategic priorities of RVIBS are to become the leading TVET college offering accredited, high-quality technical and business training that meets the needs of commerce and industry while also serving as a center of excellence in providing affordable and quality training for economic empowerment to societies.

2. Murang’a University College

Murang’a University College is also among the best universities offering nutrition and dietetics in Kenya. Located in Muranga County, Kenya, it was previously known as Murang’a University College (MRUC), a constituent college of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), and was later elevated from Murang’a College of Technology (MCT). The university now offers various courses in engineering, information technology, computing, business, commerce, human resource management, hospitality management, tourism management, and pure and applied sciences at the main campus situated 1.5 km from Murang’a Town and the town campus located in the Aharuka building in Murang’a Town. Additionally, the university is positioned 85 km northeast of Nairobi, 70 km southeast of Nyeri, and 50 km southwest of Embu.

3. Kenya Institute of Professional Studies

The Kenya Institute of Professional Studies is a highly esteemed tertiary institution that has been established and authorized by the TIVET Authority under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology to provide technical training in various courses. The college’s mandate is to offer training leading to Artisans, Certificates, Diplomas, and higher Diplomas.

The college’s vision is to be the top institution in the provision of high-quality and accessible technical and professional training. Its mission is to provide excellent training to members of society who aspire to acquire and improve skills that are relevant to the job market. KIPS Technical College is committed to upholding its core values of customer focus, professionalism, reliability, efficiency, integrity, and affordability.

Students who choose KIPS TECHNICAL COLLEGE can be assured of receiving top-notch training in an environment that values these important qualities. The college’s focus on excellence and accessibility makes it a popular choice for individuals looking to improve their skills and advance their careers.

The department of Health and Applied Sciences is known for bringing together experts from various fields such as Health Professions, Biological, Medical laboratory & Health and Social Sciences. According to reports, the department has a highly qualified and experienced teaching team, which has contributed to making it the fastest-growing department in admissions at the Kenya Institute of Professional Studies. The courses offered by this department are mainly in the Medical and Applied sciences field, and some of the major courses include Diplomas and Certificates in Science Laboratory Technology, Food Science Technology, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, among others. The duration of the courses varies from 9 to 36 months, depending on the course level and the examining body.

4. North Eastern National Polytechnic

NENAP is a technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institution in Kenya that operates under the legal framework of the TVET Act 2013 and the Legal Order No. 89 of 2016. The institution’s primary responsibility is to offer skill development programs to young people and adults in technical, commercial, and scientific fields that are relevant to the national economy. The TVET Act, 2013 forms the basis of NENAP’s mandate, which aims to produce skilled human resources with the appropriate attitudes and values required for the growth and prosperity of the economy.

NENAP’s primary function is to provide practical training and work experiences that produce skilled artisans, craftsmen, technicians, and technologists in fields such as building and civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical and electronics engineering, information communication technology, and clothing and textile technology. Additionally, NENAP collaborates with industry and commerce to plan and implement programs that facilitate the acquisition of appropriate knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values necessary for personal and national development.

The institution’s vision is to become a center of excellence in technical, entrepreneurial training, and research not only in Kenya but also beyond its borders.

5. Mount Kenya University

Mount Kenya University MKU is a Chartered University that is dedicated to providing a comprehensive education. The university is committed to the internationalization of higher education and aims to increase access to higher education by establishing campuses and ODEL centers in different areas of East Africa and beyond. The main campus of the university is situated in Thika town, and there are additional campuses located in Nairobi, Parklands, Mombasa, Nakuru, Eldoret, Meru, and Kigali, Rwanda. The university also has ODeL centers located in Malindi, Kisumu, Kitale, Kakamega, Kisii, and Kericho, and marketing offices situated in Isiolo and Nyeri, with country offices located in Kampala, Bujumbura, Hargeisa, and Garowe.

MKU’s academic programs are designed to be innovative and responsive to the current and future scientific and technological needs of both the nation and the international community. Furthermore, in addition to being accredited by the Commission on University Education, programs are also accredited by various accrediting bodies in the region. MKU admits both Government-sponsored and self-sponsored students who can choose to enroll in various study modes, including Regular, Part-time, Open Distance and electronic Learning (ODeL), and Distance, Institution-Based and e-learning (DIBeL).

The Nutrition and Dietetics programme at Mount Kenya University aims to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to accurately assess, diagnose, and manage nutritional disorders. Students will also learn how to promote healthy eating habits and manage diet-related conditions, as well as implement, monitor, and evaluate nutrition projects and programmes. Additionally, the programme will encourage innovation and entrepreneurship in the area of food nutrition and dietetics and train students to participate in the development of national and international nutrition and dietetics policies. Finally, the importance of collaboration with various stakeholders in the community will be emphasized to effectively manage nutrition-related problems.

6. University of Eastern Africa, Baraton

In the Department of Foods, Nutrition, and Dietetics at the University of Eastern Africa, students are encouraged to use their mental, physical, and spiritual faculties to improve their daily lives. The department offers various bachelor’s, diploma, and certificate programs, including a Bachelor of Science in Foods, Nutrition, and Dietetics and Certificate in Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics, etc.

The programs offered by the department have evolved from the initial Home Economics degree, which later changed to a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences. The Commission on University Education (CUE) regulates all the programs in the department in conjunction with the Kenya Nutritionist and Dietitians Institute (KNDI) for the Nutrition and Dietetics programs. The programs are designed to prepare students to not only find employment but also become employers and contribute to the government’s Big Four Agenda and Vision 2030, etc.

7. Gretsa University

Gretsa University is a modern institution established in 2006 with a strong commitment to providing high-quality and relevant higher education. The University is duly registered and accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and offers Degree, Diploma, and Certificate programmes in various fields, including Business, Education, Computer Science, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Social Work and Community Development, and Health Sciences, among others.

Since its inception, Gretsa University has successfully conducted ten graduation ceremonies, conferring Degrees and awarding Certificates and Diplomas to over 7,000 alumni who are making significant contributions to Kenya’s socio-economic development and beyond.

As part of its vision to become a professional and quality-driven institution, the University is continuously expanding its facilities and developing new academic programmes tailored to meet the needs of society. Gretsa University takes pride in integrating academic study with real-world challenges to produce graduates who are analytical, intellectually curious, open-minded, and flexible in their approach to new ideas and intellectual challenges. Additionally, the University’s graduates are knowledgeable about relevant technologies, committed to learning as a lifelong experience, and focused on addressing societal issues. Overall, Gretsa University is committed to playing a significant role as a reputable institution of higher learning.

8. Kenyatta University

The goal of the Kenyatta University department of Food, Nutrition and Dietetics is to enhance people’s health and nutrition status by providing high-quality training and conducting research that caters to both preventive/promotive and therapeutic nutrition care. This department recognizes that nutrition is an ever-emerging concern and aims to improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities. In partnership with other stakeholders in the Scaling Up Movement (SUN), the department directs its efforts towards Kenya’s attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by engaging in training, research, and community service outreach.

The department, along with the school, is located on the first floor of Arts Complex Block B, adjacent to the Amphitheatre. The department offers various programs that align with the Commission for University Education (CUE) requirements, including a Diploma, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Postgraduate Diploma, and Ph.D. in Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics.

The department of Food, Nutrition and Dietetics is accredited by the Kenya Nutrition and Dietetics Institute (KNDI) to offer Human Nutrition training programs after meeting the required regulations. The department has tailored its Diploma and Bachelor’s Degree Programs and curriculum to align with KNDI’s requirements and recommendations. The Master’s and PhD programs offer specialization in Clinical Nutrition, Community and Public Health Nutrition or Food Science, and the PhD program is currently under review with plans to offer it through coursework and thesis.

The department has experienced rapid growth in both student enrollment and faculty size and aims to become a center of excellence in human nutrition training in Kenya, eventually expanding into a school with three departments: Clinical Nutrition, Community and Public Health Nutrition, and Food Technology and Nutrition. Currently, the faculty includes one Full professor, 3 Associate Professors, 2 Senior Lecturers, 9 Lecturers, and all hold PhD degrees. The department collaborates with various stakeholders in government, the United Nations, and the private sector in designing, implementing, and evaluating nutrition-related programs and also supports curriculum design and revision outside the university. Faculty members are also involved in national policy-making, such as developing manuals and guidelines for clinical nutrition and dietetics, infant and young child feeding, and food security, as well as participating in the development of national standards.

9. East Africa Institute of Certified Studies

Over the years, the East Africa Institute of Certified Studies has experienced significant growth, expanding its reach to major towns and cities in Kenya through the establishment of branches. The institution has also produced a considerable number of well-trained graduates who have played a significant role in the development of Kenya’s economy. The Facebook page of the East Africa Institute of Certified Studies describes it as one of the best tertiary institutions in Kenya, with a dynamic education system that fosters an equitable and productive economy in a global environment. The organization’s history dates back to 2005, when it was founded as a non-profit, and in 2012, it rebranded and introduced new departments, including Information Communication and Technology. The vision of the East Africa Institute of Certified Studies is to be the premier source for education, workforce training, partnerships, and economic development in East Africa. The institution’s mission is to inspire, prepare, and empower students to succeed in a changing world. The culture of the East African Institute of Certified Studies is shaped by core values such as integrity, transparency, respect, equal access, diversity, and innovation. The college offers a wide range of academic and professional courses, including certificate and diploma courses, through various flexible modes of study, such as distance learning, part-time (evening and weekend), and regular classes. The institution has a well-established student portal that facilitates communication between students and administration, and students need to create an account to access numerous academic functions. The courses offered by the East Africa Institute of Certified Studies are classified into different schools.

10. Mospen Institute of Development Studies

The Mospen Institute of Development Studies is a privately owned college located in KERICHO County that has been accredited by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) since November 17, 2014. The college provides a range of certificate and diploma programs.