The College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences has its origin with the establishment of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, one of the oldest degree granting faculties. This faculty was transferred from Makerere University College to the Royal College Nairobi in 1962. The Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine [BVM] programme was launched in July 1962 under the then University of East Africa. In July 1970, following the dissolution of the University of East Africa, the Faculty became fully fledged and part of University of Nairobi . The Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology was among the first departments that started with set-up of the faculty and later 1971, Faculty of Agriculture joined as part of University of Nairobi.
The College was established in 1985 by the University Act and is one of the six colleges of the University of Nairobi. It comprises two faculties namely Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture and one institute, Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies . The College is located is located off Kapenguria Road, 15 Kms to the Northwest of Nairobi.
The college offers a diverse range of academic programs in several departments namely; Agricultural Economics (AGECON), Plant Science and Crop Protection (PS&CP), Land Resource Management and Agricultural Technology (LARMAT), Food Science Nutrition and Technology (FSN&T), Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology (VAP) which is located at Chiromo Campus, Animal Production, Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology (VPMP), Clinical Studies (CSD) and Public Health, Pharmacology, and Toxicology (PHPT).
Since its inception, the college has achieved many milestones over the years . More important are the milestones that have been achieved in development and review of its academic programs.
HIGHLIGHTS OF SOME MILESTONES/ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE COLLEGE
- The landmark Pathology building that hosts the Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine was opened for occupation in March 11, 1966.
- The BSc. Agriculture curriculum developed in 1969
- The Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine curriculum developed in 1970
- 1970 completion of construction of faculty of agriculture building
- The first batch of students were admitted to pursue BSc. Programs in 1971
- Majority of the current MSc. and PHD Programs were initiated between 1974 and 1978 to meet the demand for highly trained specialists
- Completion of construction of the college Library in 1980
- One of the Landmark Equipment is the Current Electron Microscope Model Philips – EM 201 was installed 2003.
- 2009. First program offered in ODeL
- August 2012 launch of Faculty of Agriculture Alumni Chapter of the University of Nairobi
