The Department dates back to early 1970s when it started as the Department of Physical Education in the then Kenyatta University College, through 1985 when the institution gained a full University status. The Department of Physical and Health Education was, for a long time, the only department in the East and Central Africa region which prepared physical educations teachers and tutors for secondary/high school and Teacher Training College.  Subsequent to increasing research and interest in the area, content in the academic discipline expanded world over. New knowledge, concepts and theories related to human performance and sports saw the establishment of related courses with distinct specialties. Over time it became evident that Kenya needed greater in-depth expertise in the area of Exercise and Sports Science. Consequently, the department has undergone continuous transformation aimed at addressing the ever growing divergent needs for human resource training in the field of physical education, exercise and sports. This saw the birth of a sister department dedicated to offering academic programmes in Exercise and Sport Science in the region in 2003. The two departments were merged in September 2018 to become the Department of Physical Education, Exercise and Sports Science.  

The Department continues to be the leading institution offering training in Exercise and Sports Science as well as degree programmes for secondary school physical education teachers in Kenya. The Department offers courses from Bachelors to Doctoral levels in the areas of Physical Education, Exercise and Sports Science. The department also offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Physical Education. These programmes are geared towards preparing professionals in the technical areas of exercise, elite sports, Physical Education; as well as sports personnel who serve in Secondary Schools, Teachers Training Colleges and Kenyan private and public Universities as Teachers, Tutors, Lecturers, Professors and Games tutors. The programmes are particularly relevant and necessary in the modern world as Kenya has attained great heights in sports. To maintain their prowess, the athletes need specialized preparation, training and conditioning and rehabilitation after injury, based on sound scientific principles. On the other hand, Kenya is experiencing rapid life-style changes resulting in unhealthy eating habits and reduced physical activity. Hypokinetic  and non-communicable conditions such as cardiac heart disease (CHD) obesity, hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, arthritis, low back pain (LBP), and several forms of cancer, all associated with unhealthy eating habits and lack of physical activity, are becoming the leading health problems in the country. The exercise programmes in the department will prepare experts in preventing and managing such people with such conditions. A whole section of the Department also prepares human resource and capacity towards addressing the needs of the people living with disabilities and special needs, a significant segment of the population which has been largely neglected. 

Vision
To be excellent trainers and practitioners in Physical Education, Exercise and Sports Sciences as academic and professional disciplines, providing relevant knowledge and skills to impact and meet the fitness and sports needs of the society

Mission
To inculcate a solid theoretical and practical knowledge and skills in Physical Education, Exercise and Sports Science amongst the trainees from undergraduate to post graduate level as an academic pursuit, applying scientific principles in coaching, training and rehabilitation as means to good health and as a professional career.

Achievements:

Conferences and symposia

The department has in the recent past organized and co-hosted a number of successful international conferences such as:

• World Under 18 Athletics Championships Pre-Games Symposium at Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya, from 7^th – 8^th July, 2017
• 2^nd International Conference on Physical Activity and Sports for Health and Development in Africa (PASHDA) held at Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya, from 21st to 23rd September, 2016
• 17^th Biennial International conference of the International Society for Comparative Physical Education and Sport (ISCPES) held at Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya, from 6^th to8th June, 2010

Renovated Gymnasia

The Templer Barracks, now our Kahawa Barracks, were handed over to the Kenyan Government in 1965. Part of these barracks, was converted to Kenyatta College. Our main (students) gym was one of the facilities of the college.  This gym has served and will continue to serve as the three departments’ main teaching facility and laboratory for specialized units.  There was dire need for not only infrastructural expansion but also for improving the services we provided – equipment and diverse training modes.  The renovation and expansion of the gymnasium, gives all our programmes a new lease of life. The gym’s fitness dimension has attracted very many students, faculty, non-teaching staff and neighboring community for health, fitness, rehabilitation, and for releasing stress.  With the state of the art equipment, the rubberized floor, the expanded changing rooms and rearrangement of the stores with a serving window from outside, and the landscaping, we can confidently claim to have one of the best facilities in the region.  

New Human Performance Laboratory

An ultra-modern Human Performance Laboratory for use in research and teaching of Exercise Science and Physical Therapy is near completion.

LOCATION
The department office is located in Main Campus, Moi Library Building, First Floor, Room 13 and 14. Telephone: +254-02-8701901, x4146

PROGRAMMES

The department offers/supports the following programs:

1. Bachelor of Science (Exercise and Sports Science)
2. Bachelor of Education (Physical Education)
3. Bachelor of Education (Science-Physical Education)
4. Bachelor of Education (Arts-Physical Education)
5. Postgraduate Diploma in Physical Education
6. Master of Science (Exercise and Sport Science)
7. Master of Science (Physical Education)
8. Doctorate Studies (Exercise and Sports  Science)
9. Doctorate Studies (Physical Education)

FACILITIES IN THE DEPARTMENT

The department utilizes several facilities for teaching and research purposes. An ultra-modern Human Performance Laboratory for use in research and teaching of Exercise Science and Physical Therapy is near completion. The available and well equipped gymnasium complex is used for teaching various practical courses. In addition, the department has a standard swimming pool that is utilized for teaching swimming and other aquatic activities. In order to enhance the teaching of outdoor education and leadership, the department collaborates with the department of Recreation and Sports Management in the use of their campsite within the university. The department also collaborates with the directorate of Sports and games in the use of the university sports facilities for teaching and research activities. The following is a list of facilities that support the operations of the department:

• Human Performance Laboratory
• Students’ Gymnasium
• Sports Playing fields and pitches
• Swimming pool
• Tennis Courts
• Squash Courts
• Campsite
• Recreation, Health and Fitness Centers

STAFF

Academic Staff

The department has a team of highly qualified and vibrant academic staff. They comprise of:

-3 Associate Professors,

-1 senior lecturer,

-7 Lecturers (6 of whom are PhD- holders and 1 Masters Holder),

-4 Tutorial Fellows.

The department also engages approved part-time lectures from time to time when need arises.

Non-Academic Staff
1 Laboratory technician

1 Gym manager
15 Fitness instructors

4 Gym attendants

The department collaborates with local and international institutions and organizations in the areas of teaching, curriculum development, research, staff, student exchanges and community service. The academic staff has so far established very strong academic collaborations/linkages with numerous Universities, institutions and organizations in different parts of the world.

These include University of Manitoba and University of Ottawa (in Canada),West Virginia University (USA), Volda University, University of Bergen (in Norway), University of Helsinki, Haaga-Helia University Vierumaki (Finland), Tshwane University of Technology and University of Pretoria, University of Stellenbosch, University of Cape Town and University of Johannesburg (in South Africa), Makerere University and Kyambogo University (in Uganda), University of Dar-essalaam (in Tanzania) and many others in UK, USA and Germany.

The existing linkage with Volda University has continued to enable the best two of our undergraduate students to proceed to Norway (in the same University) on annual basis to complete their undergraduate courses there. The department also collaborates with the Kenya Medical Research Institute and other institutions in Kenya as well as and other international organizations that include IAAF and FIFA.

-Physical Education programs           

Dr. Constance Adron Nakayiza Nsibambi, Kyambogo University, Uganda

-Exercise and Sports Science programs

Prof.  Dirk Lund Christensen, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

The department also engages several other external examiners to examine postgraduate Theses.

PHYSICAL AND HEALTH EDUCATION

• DR. FRANCIS MUNDIA MWANGI
• PROF. MICHAEL K. BOIT
• PROF. VINCENT O. ONYWERA
• PROF. ANDANJE MWISUKHA
• DR. JANE WANJIKU KAMAU
• DR.YASMIN GOODWIN
• DR. GITAHI THEURI
• DR. FESTUS K. KIPLAMAI
• DR. LUCY JOY WACHIRA
• DR. JULIAH WAMBUI GITHANG'A
• Dr. JANE WAIRIMU MWANGI
• MR.SIMON GATHUA MUHORO
• MR EDWIN KIPTOLO  
• MR. WAIGANJO LUKA
• MR NDABIRI RICHARD KARANI
• MR. MUCHEKE CHARLES MUTHIAINE

Ongoing Research Projects by Staff

Dr. Francis Mwangi Mundia and colleagues - Assessment of Foot Structure and Function in Relation to Selected Health and Performance Related Fitness Attributes among Children and Young Adults: A Comparative Study between Kenya and Japan. 2018 - 2020.

Prof. Vincent Onywera and colleagues - Building higher education and research capacity to address the physical activity and nutrition transition in Kenya: the Kenya-Finland education and research alliance (KENFIN-EDURA), 2017-2020.

Dr. Lucy-Joy Wachira and Dr Helen Muthomi - Outdoor Adventure Practice in the Afro-Alpine Mountain Areas in East Africa: Training, Certification, Competence and Standards in Injury Occurrence and Pre-Hospital Emergency Risk Management, 2016 – 2019.

Prof. Vincent Onywera -Active Cities as Catalysts for Well-Being In Africa: The Case Of Nairobi, Accra And Johannesburg, 2016-2017

Prof. Vincent Onywera - Assessment of physical activity and active transport among school children in eastern, western and southern regions of Africa: the case of Kenya, Mozambique and Nigeria, 2013-2017

Kenyatta University

PHYSICAL EDUCATION, EXERCISE AND SPORTS SCIENCE

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CHAIRMAN,

        PHYSICAL EDUCATION, EXERCISE AND SPORTS SCIENCE

             KENYATTA UNIVERSITY, P.O BOX 43844-00100 NAIROBI,

          TEL. (020)8710901, EXT: 4146

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