The Council of Legal Education has released the official Institutional Licensing Status as of 30 June 2026, providing an updated list of universities and institutions licensed to offer legal education programmes in Kenya. The announcement serves as an important guide for prospective law students, parents, legal professionals, employers, and higher education stakeholders seeking to verify the accreditation status of law programmes across the country.
Issued pursuant to Sections 2, 8(1)(b), 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 48 of the Legal Education Act, Chapter 16B of the Laws of Kenya, the licensing status confirms the institutions authorized to offer Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), Master of Laws (LL.M.), and Diploma in Law programmes. The publication also identifies institutions whose applications for new licences or licence renewals are still under consideration by the Council.
The latest licensing update underscores the Council’s commitment to maintaining quality assurance in legal education while ensuring that institutions offering law programmes meet the prescribed academic, professional, and regulatory standards.
Among the institutions approved to offer the Master of Laws (LL.M.) programme, Kenyatta University School of Law holds the longest licence validity, running until 13 January 2031. The university continues to strengthen its position as one of Kenya’s leading institutions for postgraduate legal education.
Also licensed to offer the LL.M. programme is Strathmore Law School, whose licence remains valid until 17 April 2030. The institution has built a strong reputation for producing highly skilled legal professionals through its rigorous academic programmes and emphasis on practical legal training.
The Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) Faculty of Law and the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) School of Law also feature among the licensed postgraduate law providers, with licences valid until 21 September 2028 and 20 June 2028, respectively.
The Council’s approval of these institutions assures students seeking advanced legal studies that they are enrolling in programmes recognized under Kenya’s legal education framework.
The updated list shows that 16 institutions have valid licences to offer the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) programme in Kenya.
Leading the list are Umma University School of Law and Chuka University Faculty of Law, whose licences remain valid until 14 April 2031, making them the institutions with the longest active licences for undergraduate legal education.
Other universities whose licences extend into 2030 include Tharaka University School of Law, Zetech University School of Law, and Tom Mboya University School of Law, reflecting continued compliance with the Council’s licensing requirements.
Several institutions hold licences valid until 9 April 2029, including Daystar University School of Law (Athi River Campus), University of Embu School of Law, Kisii University School of Law, and Mount Kenya University School of Law – Parklands Campus.
The Council also confirmed valid licences until 21 September 2028 for Riara Law School and Kenyatta University School of Law, while Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology School of Law remains licensed until 20 June 2028.
Institutions with licences running until 29 November 2027 include the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) Faculty of Law, Strathmore Law School, Maseno University School of Law, and South Eastern Kenya University School of Law.
The publication provides prospective students with assurance that these universities have satisfied the regulatory requirements necessary to offer recognized undergraduate legal education programmes in Kenya.
The Council also confirmed institutions licensed to offer Diploma in Law programmes. Among them is Mount Kenya University School of Law – Parklands Campus, whose Diploma in Law licence remains valid until 9 April 2029. Kisii University School of Law also holds a licence valid until the same date.
The Kenya School of Law, the country’s premier professional legal training institution, continues to offer its Diploma in Law (Paralegal Studies) programme under a licence valid until 9 April 2029. Meanwhile, the Catholic University of Eastern Africa Faculty of Law remains licensed to offer a Diploma in Law until 29 November 2027.
These programmes continue to provide opportunities for students seeking alternative legal education pathways and professional development within Kenya’s justice sector.
In addition to the licensed institutions, the Council identified several universities whose applications for licensing or licence renewal are still under consideration.
The institutions include Egerton University Faculty of Law, Kabarak University School of Law, Africa Nazarene University School of Law, Moi University School of Law, University of Nairobi Faculty of Law – Parklands Campus, Rongo University School of Law, Kenya Methodist University School of Law, and Murang’a University of Technology School of Law. The Mount Kenya University School of Law has also submitted an application for licensing of its Master of Laws (LL.M.) programme.
The Council clarified that these applications are currently undergoing evaluation and no final licensing decision has been made. Students interested in these programmes are encouraged to monitor official announcements before making admission decisions.
Why CLE Licensing Is Important
Licensing by the Council of Legal Education is a critical component of Kenya’s legal education system. It ensures that universities offering law programmes comply with nationally established standards relating to curriculum development, faculty qualifications, infrastructure, governance, and academic quality.
For students, enrolling in a licensed programme provides confidence that their qualification has been obtained from an institution recognized by the country’s legal education regulator. It also supports progression to further legal studies and professional training where applicable.
Prospective law students are therefore encouraged to verify the licensing status of both the institution and the specific programme they intend to pursue before accepting admission offers.
Conclusion
The Council of Legal Education’s Institutional Licensing Status as of 30 June 2026 offers valuable guidance to anyone considering legal education in Kenya. The publication confirms the institutions currently authorized to offer LL.B., LL.M., and Diploma in Law programmes, while highlighting universities whose applications remain under review.
