“Laborare Est Orare” echoes in the air. It means “To Work is to Pray”. This is the motto of Kenya Methodist University. Today, we explore the Mombasa campus of this esteemed institution.
Kenya Methodist University, or KeMU, began with a vision. The Methodist Church in Kenya wanted to serve the community. They established the Kaaga Rural Training Centre first. This trained people in agriculture. Later, the Methodist Training Institute trained ministers.
In 1984, the church aimed higher. They decided to build a university in Kaaga, Meru. A committee formed in 1987 planned the details. In 1995, the Commission for Higher Education inspected the site. In 1997, they granted interim authority to establish KeMU. Finally, in June 2006, President Mwai Kibaki granted KeMU a charter. It became a fully chartered university.
KeMU’s Mombasa campus is one of several. The main campus is in Meru. There are also campuses in Nairobi and Nakuru. KeMU offers many programs. These include PhDs, Masters degrees, diplomas, and certificates.
KeMU stands out for several reasons. It was the first private university in Kenya to graduate medical doctors. KeMU also has a registered and accredited TVET Institute.
The university has grown significantly. As of December 2017, it had 7,180 students. These students were spread across 28 academic departments. The university has four schools. These are the School of Business and Economics, the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, the School of Education and Social Sciences, and the School of Science and Technology.
KeMU also embraces modern learning. In 2002, it started offering Open and Distance Learning. This later became the Digital Campus in 2016. Today, the Digital Campus has over 2,000 students. Some are even from other countries.
KeMU’s vision is clear. It aims to be a globally competitive Christian University. It wants to produce transformational leaders. Its mission is to transform society. It does this by providing quality education. This education promotes excellence in scholarship, research, and selfless service.
KeMU has a rich history. It began as a humble training center. Now, it is a leading university in Africa. Rankings placed KeMU among the top universities in Kenya and Africa. This ranking reflects its commitment to quality education.
As we stand here at the Mombasa campus, remember KeMU’s journey. From its roots in agriculture to its global reach today, KeMU continues to inspire. It embodies its motto: “To Work is to Pray”. It prepares students for a future of leadership and service.