[4][5] The main campus of MKU is located in Thika, approximately 47 kilometres (29 mi) by road northeast of Nairobi, the capital and largest city in Kenya.

Initially, the institute provided programs focused on management and computer training.

[9][10] In 2006 the Commission for Higher Education (CHE), which later changed to Commission for University Education Kenya[11] (CUE), approved the institute's request for collaboration with JKUAT to offer both diploma and degree programs.

After fulfilling all the requirements, the Commission for Higher Education authorized MKU to establish a full-fledged privately funded university.

[9] In 2011, the university was awarded a charter by the government of Kenya upon the recommendation of the Commission of Higher Education.