Gretsa University
| Motto | Quality Education for the Real World |
|---|---|
| Type | Private university |
| Established | 2006 |
| Founders | Samuel and Margaret Kibathi |
| Accreditation | Commission for University Education |
| Chancellor | Charles Klasson |
| Vice-Chancellor | Peter Karanja |
| Undergraduates | 150 |
| Location | Nairobi Garissa Highway , Thika , Kenya 1°3′11.46″S 37°5′39.88″E / 1.0531833°S 37.0944111°E |
| Language | English |
| Website | gretsauniversity |
 | |
Gretsa University is a private university in Thika Municipality in Kenya that provides certificate, diploma and degree programmes. The university offers nine bachelor's degrees and one master's degree. It is located in Thika, Kiambu county along the Thika-Garissa road near Thika Town. It is approximately 50km northeast of Nairobi.
History
Gretsa University opened in September 2006 after receiving the Letter of Interim Authority from the Commission for Higher Education in May 2006. It was founded by Samuel and Margaret Kibathi, who owned various businesses including the Sagret hotels. The university's name is a portmanteau of their names: Margaret and Samuel. The Sagret hotel in Thika was the initial location of the university. Instruction began with three degree programmes: Business, Computer Science, and Hospitality Management.
In 2012, the university opened a satellite campus in Mwingi.
In November 2025, Gretsa was awarded a full charter by the Kenyan government, replacing the interim authority that it had been operating under since 2006. It became the 31st private chartered university in Kenya.
Investigations
In 2017, it was discovered that the university had been offering coursework for medical laboratory technicians that had not been accredited by the approval agency.
In 2018, the university was audited as part of an investigation into allegations that Mombasa governor Hassan Joho's degree from the school was fraudulent. The audit uncovered unrelated grading fraud that led the Commission of University Education to recommend revoking the university's Letter of Interim Authority.
Academics
Kenya's Commission for University Education has accredited the university's programmes for the following degrees:
- Bachelor of Arts in Community Development
- Bachelor of Business Administration
- Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) in the following options: Accounting, Business Administration, Credit Management, Human Resource, Management, Enterprise Development, Finance, Marketing, Purchasing and Supply Chain Management
- Bachelor of Science in: Computer Science, Hospitality Management, Hospitality and Tourism Management
- Bachelor of Education (Arts) in any two of the following subjects: English, Literature in English, Kiswahili, C.R.E, History, Geography, Mathematics, Business Studies.
- Master of Education
The university also offers the following diplomas and certificates programmes, including Library and Information Science, Public Health, Information Technology, and Nutrition and Dietetics.
Notable Alumni
- Ali Hassan Joho BCom, Governor of Mombasa County and Kenyan cabinet member
- Mohamed Tubi BA, Kenyan member of parliament
- Mary Wamaua BA, Kenyan member of parliament
References
- 1 2 3 "Gretsa Profile". Gretsa University. Retrieved 3 October 2026.
- 1 2 Moraa, Daisy (27 May 2026). "Samuel And Margaret Kibathi: Couple That Owns Gretsa University And Sagret Hotels". The Kenya Times. Retrieved 4 October 2026.
- 1 2 "Governing Council". Gretsa University. Retrieved 3 October 2026.
- ↑ "FAQs". Gretsa University. Retrieved 3 October 2026.
- 1 2 "ACADEMIC UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES OFFERED IN CHARTERED UNIVERSITIES IN KENYA AS AT 31.07.2026" (PDF). Commission for University Education. Retrieved 4 October 2026.
- ↑ Nzengu, Musembi (21 September 2012). "Kenya: Gretsa University Opens Campus in Mwingi Town". The Star. allAfrica. Retrieved 4 October 2026.
- ↑ Wanderi, Felix (19 November 2025). "Gretsa University awarded Full Charter, ushers in new Chancellor". Education News. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
- ↑ Annah Nanjala Wekesa (21 April 2026). "CUE Releases Updated List Of Approved Universities In Kenya". Kenya Times. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
- ↑ "APPROVED UNIVERSITIES IN KENYA IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE UNIVERSITIES ACT CAP 210, AS AT 15TH SEPTEMBER 2026" (PDF). Commission for University Education. Retrieved 4 October 2026.
- ↑ Kabale, Naibo (4 October 2017). "Shattered hopes for students at Gretsa University after completing course only to realize it had not been accredited". The Standard. Retrieved 3 October 2026.
- ↑ Mukere, Tony (21 August 2018). "Joho's BCom Degree from Gretsa University Among Those Investigated in Matiang'i 's Reforms - Kenyans.co.ke". Kenyans.co.ke. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
- ↑ Wambui, Juliet (21 August 2018). "Gretsa University Facing Closure Over Allegations of Malpractices - Kenyans.co.ke". Kenyans.co.ke. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
- 1 2 Annah Nanjala Wekesa (23 April 2025). "Gretsa University Courses Offered, Fees, Location And Campuses". Kenya Times. Retrieved 4 October 2026.
- ↑ Annah Nanjala Wekesa (5 December 2024). "KNDI Suspends 5 Universities From Offering Nutrition Course". Kenya Times. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
- ↑ Wanzala, Ouma (22 December 2020). "Gretsa University defends Joho admission as police quiz governor". Business Daily Africa. Retrieved 4 October 2026.
- ↑ Makong, Bruhan (24 July 2024). "President Ruto nominates Joho Mining and Blue Economy CS". Capital FM Kenya. Retrieved 4 October 2026.
- ↑ Moraa, Daisy (8 August 2025). "Mohamed Tubi Profile: Education, Career, Family, Net Worth". Kenya Times. Retrieved 4 October 2026.
- ↑ "Mary Wamaua Profile: Education, Career, Family, Networth". Kenya Times. 20 August 2025. Retrieved 4 October 2026.
