- Open University of Kenya (OUK), the first fully virtual public university in Kenya, is nestled in the heart of Konza Technopolis, often dubbed “Africa’s Silicon Savannah.”
- In the early months of his leadership, Prof. Omwenga laid the groundwork for a university unlike any other in Kenya’s public education history. The programs launched were forward-looking and in tune with the country’s socio-economic needs.
- One of OUK’s most promising plans involves the rollout of nano-certificates and micro-credentials—short, skills-based courses targeting professionals, entrepreneurs, and youth who need quick, applicable knowledge without committing to long-term degree programs.
When the Open University of Kenya (OUK) was officially launched on August 3, 2023, it marked more than just the birth of a new institution. It was a historic leap toward reimagining higher education in Kenya and across Africa, a bold statement that technology could bridge the education gap, not widen it.
OUK, the first fully virtual public university in Kenya, is nestled in the heart of Konza Technopolis, often dubbed “Africa’s Silicon Savannah.” Its vision is grand yet grounded: to provide flexible, accessible, and affordable education to learners from all walks of life, wherever they are.
At the center of this remarkable story is a man whose name may not make daily headlines but whose impact is already changing lives—Prof. Elijah Isinta Omwenga. On August 3, 2023, Prof. Omwenga was appointed as the Acting Vice Chancellor of OUK. He was seconded from the University of Kabianga, where he had served with distinction. With decades of experience in education technology and policy, a Ph.D. in Computer Science, and an unwavering belief in the power of innovation, he was a natural fit to lead Kenya’s foray into open and distance learning.
His appointment came at a critical moment. The country was seeking to expand higher education access while grappling with constraints such as infrastructure, capacity, and cost. OUK was the solution—and Prof. Omwenga was the strategist.
A Vision Beyond the Traditional Classroom
In the early months of his leadership, Prof. Omwenga laid the groundwork for a university unlike any other in Kenya’s public education history. The programs launched were forward-looking and in tune with the country’s socio-economic needs.
OUK’s curriculum currently offers cutting-edge undergraduate and postgraduate programs:
Each course was carefully designed to address the core pillars of Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), particularly in agriculture, healthcare, housing, MSMEs, and the digital economy.
But beyond curriculum innovation, the university’s greatest strength lies in its delivery model. Learning at OUK is fully online, leveraging both synchronous (real-time) and asynchronous methods. This means that a student from any part of the world can pursue a degree without relocating or abandoning their job or family.
“We are building a learning environment that meets students where they are,” Prof. Omwenga often says. “Education should not be about buildings, it should be about minds and access.”
A University for the Future
With support from the Ministry of ICT and the Ministry of Education, the university has rapidly developed its infrastructure. Platforms for virtual classrooms, digital libraries, interactive forums, and real-time assessments are now fully operational.
OUK has also built partnerships with international institutions such as Arizona State University, the Commonwealth of Learning, Indira Gandhi National Open University, and the Catholic University of Milan. These collaborations focus on capacity building, research, and curriculum enrichment.
“We are not here to replicate the brick-and-mortar university. We are here to redefine what quality education looks like in the digital age,” Prof. Omwenga noted during one of his public addresses.
To emphasize the university’s commitment to sustainability, OUK launched a symbolic tree-planting initiative. For every student admitted, five trees will be planted across different parts of the country—a reminder that even virtual institutions can leave a tangible, positive footprint on the environment.
A Partner in Transformation: Scholar Media Africa Conference 2025
OUK’s growing reputation as an innovative institution earned it a spot as a strategic partner during the Scholar Media Africa Inaugural Conference 2025 and SMEGAfrica Excellence Awards, held from April 23-25, 2025, at Trademark Hotel, Nairobi.
Though Prof. Omwenga was unable to attend in person, he was ably represented by the university’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academics and Student Affairs, Prof. Caroline Omulando—a renowned linguist and educationist. In her keynote address, she brought the university’s mission to life.
“Technology is not a barrier; it is a bridge,” she affirmed. “At OUK, we are using digital platforms not to replace people, but to empower them. Our students are learning in real-time, solving real problems, and preparing for real futures.”
Her remarks captivated an audience of educators, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and students from across Africa. During the SMEGAfrica Excellence Awards gala, 22 individuals from various countries were honored for their exceptional contributions to community transformation—and OUK was lauded as a trailblazer in educational innovation.
Endorsements from the Nation’s Leadership
The support for OUK has not just been academic, it has been national. President Dr. William Ruto, who conferred the university’s charter, hailed the initiative as a game-changer for inclusive learning.
“The Open University of Kenya will transform how we think about higher education,” he declared. “It offers a chance for ordinary Kenyans to pursue professional training from wherever they are, at a fraction of the cost.”
Education Cabinet Secretary Hon. Julius Ogamba echoed the sentiment, saying: “OUK is proof that government innovation can deliver real results. It supports our goals of 100 percent transition in education and will bridge the urban-rural learning divide.”
Even more notably, the university’s Council Chairperson and Chancellor have emphasized the importance of maintaining world-class standards and continuous innovation as the university expands. They have praised Prof. Omwenga’s hands-on leadership and clear vision as essential to the institution’s early success.
Chancellor: Dr. James Mwangi
Appointed by President William Ruto during the university’s charter award ceremony on August 3, 2023, Dr. James Mwangi serves as the inaugural Chancellor of OUK. As the Group Managing Director and CEO of Equity Group Holdings PLC, Dr. Mwangi brings a wealth of experience in financial leadership and a deep commitment to educational advancement. His prior role as Chancellor of Meru University of Science and Technology, coupled with his involvement in initiatives like the Wings to Fly scholarship program, highlights his dedication to expanding educational opportunities for Kenyan youth.
Council Chairperson: Prof. Ezra Maritim
Prof. Ezra Maritim was appointed as the Chairperson of the University Council, also announced during the August 3, 2023, charter award ceremony. With an extensive background in higher education administration, Prof. Maritim has held significant positions, including Vice-Chancellor of Egerton University and Deputy Secretary of the Commission for Higher Education. His leadership is instrumental in steering OUK towards achieving its mission of providing flexible and inclusive higher education through innovative open and distance learning approaches.
Together, Dr. Mwangi and Prof. Maritim’s leadership roles are pivotal in guiding OUK’s strategic initiatives, ensuring the university remains at the forefront of delivering accessible and quality education across Kenya and beyond.
Widening the Circle of Learning
One of OUK’s most promising plans involves the rollout of nano-certificates and micro-credentials—short, skills-based courses targeting professionals, entrepreneurs, and youth who need quick, applicable knowledge without committing to long-term degree programs.
“These kinds of courses are particularly vital for the informal sector and lifelong learners,” said Prof. Omwenga during an internal university town hall. “We want to make learning part of the national culture.”
There are also plans to incorporate emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, and Virtual Reality (VR) into the learning process. These tools, Prof. Omwenga believes, will bring abstract concepts to life and enable better engagement, especially in technical fields.
OUK is also developing a robust research and innovation framework to encourage academic scholarship that addresses real-world challenges in health, climate change, agriculture, and digital finance.
A Growing Reputation
Leaders in the tech and education sectors have taken note of OUK’s strides. Konza Technopolis leadership has described the university as a “critical anchor institution” that could accelerate Kenya’s transformation into a knowledge economy.
The World Bank, through its education programs in Kenya, has welcomed the idea of scaling the OUK model to other regions. “This is not just a university,” one official commented, “it is a template for Africa’s educational future.”
Already, applications to the university are coming from across Kenya, and from the diaspora. Many students are attracted by the flexibility, affordability, and modernity of the OUK approach.
The Future is Open
In less than two years, the Open University of Kenya has done more than just open its digital doors. It has opened the minds of a nation. By combining visionary leadership, cutting-edge technology, and a people-first approach, OUK is redefining how learning happens in the 21st century.
Prof. Omwenga, speaking at a recent strategy forum, summed up the university’s philosophy: “We are not bound by the past. We are shaping the future. And in this future, no one should be left behind because of where they live, how much they earn, or what barriers once stood in their way.”
OUK is more than Kenya’s first virtual university. It is Africa’s loudest declaration yet that education, when made open, can be a revolution.
Prof. Omwenga Confirmed to Steer Kenya’s Virtual University into the Future
Prof. Omwenga was officially appointed as the substantive Vice Chancellor of the Open University of Kenya (OUK) on April 17, 2025. This appointment marked the culmination of his dedicated service as Acting Vice Chancellor since the university’s inception on August 3, 2023.
The confirmation of Prof. Omwenga’s role was announced by the Chairman of the University Council, Prof. Ezra Maritim, who highlighted the significance of this milestone in OUK’s development. Prof. Maritim emphasized Prof. Omwenga’s proven ability to stabilize and lead the university through its formative stages, noting his expertise in computer science and his distinguished tenure as Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs at the University of Kabianga. He stated that Prof. Omwenga’s leadership would drive OUK’s growth, ensure sustained stability, and reinforce its commitment to achieving strategic objectives.
For more about the Open University of Kenya (OUK) and how to apply, visit https://ouk.ac.ke/
