President William Ruto has awarded the International Leadership University (ILU) a university charter. During a ceremony at State House in Nairobi on Thursday, November 5, 2026, the President noted that the award of a university charter to the institution was a great step forward in the development of higher education in the country.

“I am satisfied that the award of a university charter to the International Leadership University will be beneficial to higher education in Kenya,” he said.

In alignment with the Universities Act (Cap 210), the President formally awarded the university charter to ILU. This means ILU can now officially operate as a chartered university. ILU Chancellor and former Makueni Governor, Professor Kivutha Kibwana said the award was a great milestone.

“I am very excited that this milestone happens right at the beginning of my tenure. It is a product of the culture of good governance we have developed since 1980,” she said.

The ceremony also saw the award of the university mace and seal. The university leadership has committed to ensuring they will view their university charter as a responsibilty.

President Ruto also challenged universities to increase the relevance of courses offered so that they can better address challenges faced by business, communities and public institutions. He encouraged universities to improve hands-on learning, work with employers to design courses and increase work placements.

“I therefore challenge International Leadership University and all universities in Kenya to commit to four things. Firstly teaching with real problems,” Ruto said.

He encouraged universities to work with county governments, hospitals and cooperatives to identify real problems for students to research and help solve. The President also encouraged universities to work more closely with employers.

Speaking about the high demand for internships, he revealed that 150,000 applications were made for 50,000 internship placements within 24 hours of applications being opened. This shows how keen young people are to gain hands-on experience.

Ruto also committed to sponsoring five students at ILU over the next 10 years. He said he would work with the Vice Chancellor to identify the right courses.

“For the next God willing 10 years I will sponsor 5 students. I will work with the Vice Chancellor to understand what that means. We will agree on what courses to sponsor that will be relevant to what they believe is the core value.”

The President also committed to rallying his friends and partners to donate to the university endowment fund. He said this was because he has been closely linked with the sponsor of the university.

A university charter is awarded to a university in Kenya under the Universities Act. This means that they have met all the requirements to be recognised as a university. The award is based on recommendations from the higher education regulatory bodies such as the Commission for University Education. This means the university has a legal status as a university.

This award means that ILU have completed their journey to become a full university. They will now have more responsibility to ensure they are providing quality education. This award also comes at a time when Kenya is looking to expand its higher education system.

Ruto emphasised that students should be leaving university with the ability to use their knowledge in the workplace. This latest award means that ILU are fully recognised as a university and there will be focus on the quality of education, research and opportunities they will provide.