Islamic University of Kenya Opens New Branch in Mandera

By Adan Mohamed - Reporter

25 January 2026 - The Islamic University of Kenya has officially opened a new branch campus in Mandera County, marking a major improvement in the expansion of higher education in the region.

The university will now operate in Mandera under its constituent college, named Afaa Islamic College, which will serve as the main centre for academic programmes and student training in the county.

The university is also expected to begin by offering core courses in Islamic Sharia and the Arabic language, aimed at strengthening religious and linguistic education in the region.

The new campus is expected to improve access to university education for students from Mandera and neighbouring counties, reducing the need for learners to travel long distances to pursue their studies.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, the university’s Board of Directors, led by Sheikh Mohamed Alasow, said the institution received its charter in 2024, awarded by President William Ruto. He urged the youth of Mandera County to take full advantage of the new university to pursue higher education and build their future.

The Mandera campus is now targeting more than 100 students from Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia, marking a significant step toward expanding access to higher education in the region.

The opening of the Islamic University in Mandera will also give new hope to many students whose dreams of studying abroad were cut short by financial constraints, offering them a fresh reason to smile.

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Mandera Governor Mohamed Khalif, while presiding over the opening of the campus, said the need for such a university in the region was high and assured that the county government will work closely with stakeholders to support and ensure the growth of the campus in Mandera.

"The need for a university in this region has always been high. As the county government, we will collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure this campus grows and provides quality education for our youth,” said Governor Khalif.

Mandera residents welcomed the move, saying it will help increase school-to-university transition rates and provide opportunities for young people in a region that has for years faced limited access to higher learning institutions.