The first ever Islamic university in Kenya will be set up in Isinya District of Kajiado County.
The project, estimated to cost US$15 million, is funded by Qatari investor Sheikh Khalid bin Thani Al Thani through his RAF foundation.
Speaking yesterday during the ground breaking ceremony at the institution, Prime Minister Raila Odinga lauded the private sector for investing heavily in higher education. He also reiterated the government’s commitment in promoting cultural and religious diversity and cohesion among various communities through education.
The PM noted that the coming of an Islamic university will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of Islamic faith and civilization. “The establishment of this university could also mark the renewal of the historic ties between Eastern Africa and the Arabian World,” Mr. Odinga said promising government support for the project.
Area Member of parliament Prof George Saitoti expressed gratitude for the investors having chosen his constituency as the location of the institution. “Once completed the institution is not only expected to expand higher education opportunities but also offer employment and other social services to the local community,” he said.
The project is a brain child of Sheikh Mohamed Osman who bought the land in 2003 and built an institution that offers Islamic teachings to the youth. Currently, the institution operates under the name Andalus institute and has a student population of 220 drawn from allover East Africa.
Besides the college of Sharia and Islamic Studies, the envisioned RAF international University will have 10 other faculties, mainly in the fields of medicine, science and technology.
It joins the likes of Baraton University, Presbyterian University of East Africa, Kenya Methodist University and Catholic University of Eastern Africa, which started off as institutions for religious studies but ended up offering secular courses.
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