Daystar University

Key Highlights

• Listed by Kenya's regulator as a private chartered university as of 17 May 2026
• Institutional roots date to 1964; the Kenyan university charter was granted in 1994
• Operates a residential main campus at Athi River and a non-residential Nairobi campus
• Christ-centred, non-denominational institutional identity

Student Life & Environment

Student life differs substantially between the two campuses. Athi River provides the residential setting, with classrooms, science and computer laboratories, a library, media studios, restaurants, and a medical centre. The university lists basketball, volleyball, rugby, chess, and badminton, alongside organizations such as AIESEC, Daystar Mazingira, Afrizo, the Daystar Christian Fellowship, and Rotaract. These examples indicate opportunities in sport, service, environmental activity, faith, and student organizations without implying that every activity runs in every semester. On-campus accommodation is available only at the Athi River main campus. Daystar describes full-board hostels, where three meals are provided daily in a common dining hall, and self-catering units with shared kitchens and utilities. The Nairobi campus is expressly non-residential, so students studying there must arrange housing independently and should account for commuting costs and travel time. The May 2026 orientation booklet identifies student placement and international-relations support, internship and job-opportunity assistance, indoor and outdoor recreation, and free professional counselling on both campuses. Student-led peer counselling is also described. Spiritual life is visible through chaplaincy and chapel, consistent with Daystar's Christian mission. Prospective students who prefer a residential community may find Athi River the more natural fit, while Nairobi may better suit commuters and students seeking urban day or evening study.

Location & Surroundings

Daystar's main campus is in Athi River, approximately 40 kilometres from Nairobi's central business district. This is the university's residential location and the site applicants should examine if they want university-managed housing and a more self-contained campus experience. The university describes academic laboratories, a library, studios, dining facilities, a medical centre, sports, clubs, and outdoor areas there. University Estates also manages transport for day scholars, weekend student travel, and approved university activities, but students should request current schedules and charges rather than assume that transport will cover a particular route. The Nairobi campus is at the junction of Valley Road and Ngong Road, about four kilometres from the city centre. It is opposite Nairobi Hospital, next to Nairobi Baptist Church, and described by the university as accessible by public transport from across Nairobi. The urban campus provides cafeterias, an outpatient clinic, counselling, academic laboratories and studios, a library, an auditorium, and access to partnered sports recreation. It has no university accommodation. Campus choice therefore affects housing, commuting, academic timetable, and access to program-specific facilities; applicants should confirm where their chosen program is delivered before arranging accommodation.

Costs & Career Outcomes

The newest comprehensive official fee schedule located during this review applies to the 2025/2026 academic year, so its figures should be treated as historical guidance rather than confirmed 2026/2027 prices. It lists first-semester totals of KES 127,900 for a standard Athi River undergraduate degree, KES 143,300 for nursing there, and KES 167,300 for law. For Nairobi, the listed totals are KES 139,000 for a standard undergraduate degree and KES 170,800 for nursing upgrade. Listed postgraduate first-semester totals are KES 139,900 for master's study, KES 184,425 for PhD study, and KES 127,900 for the postgraduate diploma in education. These totals combine tuition and recurring charges with one-time first-semester expenses. They do not establish the full cost of a program. Housing and living expenses require separate planning. The reviewed schedule notes a KES 7,500 orientation fee for boarders but does not provide a complete current room-and-board budget. Accommodation exists only at Athi River, with full-board and self-catering models; Nairobi students must budget for private housing and commuting. Applicants should obtain the 2026/2027 fee schedule and current hostel prices before making a financial decision. For career development, Daystar's Student Placement and International Relations Office supports internship and job opportunities. The university also identifies career advisers in academic schools and the placement office. These services are useful resources, but no verified placement rate, graduate salary, or employer-outcome data was found, so applicants should ask their intended school about recent internships, professional accreditation, and graduate destinations.