President Ruto Awards Charter to National Intelligence and Research University

Written By Lisa Murimi

President William Ruto awarded a charter to the National Intelligence and Research University (NIRU), marking Kenya’s first university owned and managed by the National Intelligence Service (NIS). 

The event, held at State House Nairobi, signifies a strategic step in bolstering Kenya’s capacity in intelligence and national security studies.

NIRU, based in Nairobi, will offer accredited courses and is structured under a Board of Management, a Council, and a Vice-Chancellor. 

Doctor Christopher Chumba, a distinguished academician, will serve as the institution’s inaugural Vice-Chancellor.

The newly established university will incorporate several key constituent colleges, previously under the National Defence University (NDU), including the Kenya Military Academy, Joint Command and Staff College, and the Defence Forces Technical College. 

The Director of NIS, Nordin Haji, will chair NIRU, which will also oversee the Centre for Security Studies.

NIRU’s mandate extends beyond conventional academia, focusing on intelligence, security studies, and research to address complex threats both within Kenya and across its borders. 

It aims to be a regional leader in security-related education and research, aligning with Kenya’s ongoing security modernization initiatives, such as the advanced forensics laboratory at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.