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 Sport 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 sport. 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 Sport 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, conditioning and rehabilitation after injury, based on sound scientific principles. Moreover, Kenya is experiencing rapid life-style changes resulting in unhealthy dietary 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, are becoming the leading health problems in the country. The exercise programmes in the department will prepare experts in preventing and managing people with such conditions. A section of the Department dealing with adapted physical activity 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. 

The Department has taken steps to ensure that all of our programs are in line with the new Physical Education and Sports Policy for Basic Education (2021) which outlines the Ministry’s commitment to the realization of effective P.E. and sports programs in learning institutions. It is also aligned to the Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC) system of education which recognises P.E. as an important areas learning, and sport science as one of the career pathways. Development and teaching of a common unit in physical literacy and sports literacy for all BEd teacher trainees in the University also demonstrates the commitment of the department in contributing towards healthy, informed, engaged and empowered citizenry.

Vision
To be excellent trainers and practitioners in Physical Education, Exercise and Sport 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 Sport 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:

• Partnership in Sports and Development for Tomorrow at Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya on 3rd March 2020, Co-hosted by KU together with Japan Society for Promotion of Science and TIAS of University of Tsukuba, Japan.
• 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 center of the departments’ main teaching and learning facilities, as well as research and community service.  The Gym has undergone infrastructural expansion for improving quality and scope of the services we provided.  The renovated, expanded gymnasium and the fitness programmes have 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.

New Athletics Tartan Track

Built as one of legacies for hosting games village during U18 and U20 World Athletics championships, the New Athletics Tartan Track will go a long way in enhancing training and research in the field of athletics for Kenyatta University and the country at large.

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:

BACHELOR OF EDUCATION (PHYSICAL EDUCATION) 
MASTER OF SCIENCE (PHYSICAL EDUCATION)
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PHYSICAL EDUCATION) 
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (EXERCISE AND SPORT SCIENCE) 
MASTER OF SCIENCE (EXERCISE AND SPORT SCIENCE) 
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (EXERCISE AND SPORT SCIENCE)

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:

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

STAFF

Academic Staff

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

2 Associate Professors,

2 Senior lecturers,

10 Lecturers

1 Tutorial Fellow.

3 External Part-Time lectures

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

Non-Academic Staff
1 Departmental Secretary

1 Laboratory technician

1 Gym manager
13 Fitness instructors

1Gym attendants

1 Swimming Pool Technician

Calendar undergoing update

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.

Prof Danladi Ibrahim Musa,

Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Kogi State University, P.M.B. 1008, Anyigba, Nigeria. 

Exercise and Sports Science Program

Dr. Dirk Lund Christensen,

University of Copenhagen

Section of Global health,

Denmark

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Other External Examiners Contacted mostly for Postgraduate

Prof. Jimoh Shehu

Department of Physical Education, Health & Recreation, University of Botswana, Private Bag 0022, Gaborone, Botswana  

Prof. Constance

Constance Adron Nakayiza Nsibambi

Department of Sport science, Faculty of Science,

Kyambogo University,

P.O. Box 1 Kyambogo,

Kampala Uganda

• PROF. MICHAEL K. BOIT
• PROF. VINCENT O. ONYWERA
• DR. FRANCIS MUNDIA MWANGI
• 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
• DR EDWIN KIPTOLO  
• DR. 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