Kenyatta University rated best equipped in sports

Loraine Nondi (left) of Amiras Chase shields the ball away from Geogia Olga of Kenyatta University during their Kenya Hockey Union Women's Premier League match at City Park Stadium on July 23, 2016. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |

What you need to know:

  • University beat 55 other institutions scoring 223 points out of the maximum of 300 in a survey carried out by CPS Research International.
  • University of Nairobi came second followed by United States International University-Africa, while Mount Kenya University was fourth.
  • The study said most private universities offered sports scholarships unlike the public ones.

Kenyatta University has been rated the best in sports investment in the country, according to a study released on Wednesday.

The university beat 55 other universities scoring 223 points out of the maximum 300 in a survey carried out by CPS Research International.

“It has magnificent sports facilities, both indoor and outdoor and offers the highest number of sporting activities than any other university,” said Herman Manyora, a CPS Research International director.

University of Nairobi came second followed by United States International University-Africa, while Mount Kenya University was fourth.

They were followed by Strathmore, Moi, Egerton, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Eldoret and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology.

The study said most private universities offered sports scholarships unlike the public ones.

“Most public universities have no fitness centres unlike private ones. Most public universities also don’t provide insurance cover for their sports students unlike the private ones,” says the study.

It was conducted between April 1 and July 15, this year with the support of Pan African Education Trust.

It surveyed 55 out of the 70 universities recognised by the Commission for University Education.

The study found out that most students taking part in sports were in second year and that 68 per cent were male compared to 32 per cent females.

Talents in sports

“Another critical finding is that most university students who are physically active intend to pursue sports after completing their studies and they also strongly believe that sports shape the character of students,” says the study.

It says rugby is the most popular sport in universities.

The report recommends that universities, with the support of the Government, devote more resources to sports development and that more women be encouraged to take part.

Students surveyed said investment in sports influenced their choice of the institutions though they said most universities did not give information on games during career talks.

It calls on the government to encourage secondary schools to develop talents in sports by investing in equipping schools.