OUR HISTORY
Establishment of a co-operative training institution
1908The first co-operative in Kenya was founded by the Colonial Government. This was a typical British Co-operative Business Model which sidelined Africans from the mainstream economy. Such state of affairs was to be sustained albeit with slight flexibility during the struggle towards independence.
School of cooperation
1952That is how in 1952 the school of cooperation was started at the then Jeans School (now Kenya School of Government) which saw the three East African countries: Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania/Tanganyika establish the school to ensure the uniqueness of the Co-operative Business Model was preserved.
The Co-operative College of Kenya was born
1967And that is how in 1967, the Co-operative College of Kenya was born with 40 students at Allen Road, the present Daystar University Campus next to Kenyatta National Hospital which gave way to the construction of the present Co-operative College located at Ushirika Road, Karen.
Mzee Jomo Kenyatta laid a foundation stone of the college
1970 (June 18th )The first President of the Republic of Kenya, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta laid a foundation stone of the college as currently evidenced by the foundation stone at the main entrance towards the Nordic Assembly Hall.
The college was able to host three diploma courses
1974 – 1982The principal reports that, “the tempo of the growth of the college was on the upward trend” ( COCK Annual Report, 1974).College facilities were expanded to cope with rising demand for co-operative business education and training ( COCK Annual Report, 1978). The college was able to host three diploma courses; the highest most esteemed college education level ( COCK Annual Report, 1979)( COCK Annual Report, 1974).Construction works began in 1978 and were completed in 1980 ( COCK Annual Report, 1980).Performance in all college courses was recorded as satisfactory and encouraging with very low failure rates ( COCK Annual Report, 1982)
The mission of the college was defined
1983The mission of the college was defined and stated as, “ a national training institute involved in the training personnel of co-operative societies and unions as well as middle cadre government officers who help in supervision of activities of the movement on behalf of the Ministry of Co-operative Development ( COCK Annual Report, 1983)
The College launched its first degree programme
2005The College launched its first degree programme, the Bachelor of Co-operative Business in collaboration with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (College prospectus,2005)
The University College is awarded her Charter
2016 (October 7th)The University College is awarded her Charter by the fourth President of the Republic of Kenya, His Excellency, Uhuru Kenyatta; coincidentally the son of the first president, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta who laid the foundation stone for the college establishment. It became The Co-operative University of Kenya and the first one of its own kind.
OUR PRINCIPLES
OBJECTIVE
To develop a Globally competitive Co-operative University that is excellent in Education, Training, Research, Innovation and Outreach.
MISSION
To Provide Education, Training, Research and Consultancy In Order To Produce Leaders in the Fields of Co-operative Development, Community Development, Rural Transformation, Business, Applied Sciences, Information and Communication Technology for Development.
VISION
A leading University in Co-operative Training, Education, Research and Innovation.
