The private Zetech University is well-known throughout Kenya and the rest of East Africa.Over 10,000 students from diverse backgrounds are enrolled in courses at this university, which accepts students who pay their own way as well as those who get financial aid from the government. But nothing is known about the man who founded this thriving organization.
The adventures of engineer Ken Mbiuki
Ken Mbiuki, an engineer, spent the majority of his formative years in his home county of Meru. After finishing high school, he relocated to Nairobi with the intention of earning a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Nairobi.
In 1997, while he was a student at the university, he realized he could use the information technology and computing abilities he had taught himself on his PC to help his fellow students.
Demand was high, especially among college students, for IT-related classes because so few schools provided them at the time.
He began teaching information technology classes in the youth hostel where he once resided, and quickly saw a surge in student interest and enrollment.
When he was only 22 years old, he was responsible for up to 300 pupils and making roughly Ksh200,000 per month teaching at the university’s pupils Center. He subsequently became the official registrar for Zenith Technology.
Zetech University Origins
In 1999, he renamed his company Zenith Technology to Zetech College in an effort to draw in a wider audience than just college students.
He rented an apartment at Summit House on Moi Avenue for Ksh 15,000. By that point, there were probably around 500 pupils registered.
When the number of students reached 1,500 between 2000 and 2004, he had to move to a larger location, Church House, which was conveniently located close to the Railways Bus terminal.
He expanded his business to Westlands in 2006 and formed an alliance with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) so that his students may earn degrees from JKUAT upon completion of their studies.
During this time, he hired more professors and broadened his curriculum to include business, hospitality, community development, and mass communication in addition to information technology.
The college gained notoriety, drawing in hundreds of new students each semester, and the 46-year-old dean realized it was time to expand.
To Higher Education
As the totals rose, Mbiuki realized he might be able to recruit enough people to fill the universities.
His main concern was whether or not he would have enough money to construct enough facilities worthy of a university.
Inspired by his vision, he went to Barclays Bank (now ABSA Bank) in 2011 and successfully negotiated a loan of Ksh 160 million, with which he constructed the main campus in Ruiru.
After acquiring a Letter of Interim Authority from the Ministry of Education, the college became a university in 2018. There are currently approximately 10,000 students and over 500 faculty and staff members at Zetech University.
Diverse Objectives
Engineer Ken Mbiuki has diversified his portfolio to include ventures outside of the school sector. Finken Holdings Limited and Suntech Power Limited are two of the businesses he oversees.
While Suntech is focused on renewable energy, Finken is active in food processing, construction, and agrochemicals.
Companies in the Industrial Area have done well, with notable clientele including Sarova Hotels, Safaricom, and the Rural Electrification Authority (REA).
