TLDR: Mount Kenya University (MKU) is making significant strides in integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) across its academic, research, and administrative functions, highlighted by a recent strategy development workshop and the introduction of new AI-focused academic programs. The university aims to be a regional leader in AI innovation and a hub for future-ready graduates.
Mount Kenya University (MKU) has officially unveiled its ambitious Artificial Intelligence (AI) Agenda, marking a pivotal moment in its commitment to digital transformation and innovation. This strategic thrust was underscored by a recent landmark Strategy Development Workshop held from July 31 to August 1, 2025, at the Panorama Park Hotel in Naivasha. Organized by the university’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy Taskforce (MAIST), the workshop convened key stakeholders from academic, research, and administrative units to explore emerging opportunities and address the challenges of integrating AI across all university operations.
Senior leadership at MKU has expressed unwavering commitment to this initiative. Prof. Peter Kirira, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Administration, Planning and Institutional Advancement (DVC APIA), emphasized, “As an institution of higher learning, we must not only embrace AI but lead in its development and responsible integration within the region.” Dr. Mercyline Kamande, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Research Affairs, echoed this sentiment, stating that AI is no longer a distant concept but a force transforming industries, reshaping education, and redefining how we think and work. Both DVCs affirmed MKU’s readiness to support a “360-degree transformation” in implementing AI solutions.
Dr. John Kaman, Dean of the School of Computing and Informatics and Chair of MAIST, articulated the profound impact of AI, noting, “Artificial Intelligence is not just a technological tool—it’s a catalyst for innovation in teaching, research, and administration.” He added that MKU, as a leading institution, is committed to steering its future with a well-structured and inclusive AI strategy. The outcomes of this workshop are set to form the bedrock of the MKU Institutional AI Strategy, designed to position the university at the forefront of AI innovation in East Africa. MKU plans to officially unveil its comprehensive AI Strategy later this year, ensuring alignment with global best practices and Kenya’s national digital economy blueprint.
Beyond strategic planning, MKU is actively embedding AI into its academic offerings. The University Council has approved new curricula, including a Master of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence and a Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, both to be housed within the School of Computing and Informatics. This commitment to AI education was prominently featured at the university’s 27th Graduation Ceremony on August 8, 2025, which was themed “Catalyzing Innovation: Universities as Drivers of Artificial Intelligence.”
Further demonstrating its proactive approach, MKU has forged a partnership with Microsoft to integrate AI into its learning processes. The university is also a key participant in the “Africa Meets Bavaria” program, which commenced in August 2025 with an ambitious goal of training 100 students in digital product development, with a specific focus on AI. This initiative underscores MKU’s dedication to equipping its students with future-ready skills. Notably, two MKU students recently emerged as winners in a Business Idea Competition hosted by the prestigious African German Entrepreneurship Academy (AGEA), showcasing the university’s success in fostering research-based start-ups.
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Dr. Tonny Omwanza, CEO of the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA), lauded MKU’s leadership in AI and innovation, urging graduands to embrace these transformative fields. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi reiterated the university’s vision to progressively utilize AI for accelerated innovation and research, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and driving societal transformation. He emphasized MKU’s role as a “breeding ground for job creators, not only job seekers,” a philosophy championed through its Innovation and Incubation Centre and the “Idea to Market” program, which supports students in transforming innovative concepts into impactful, market-ready solutions.
