BRIEF HISTORY
The Department of Horticulture is among the pioneer departments of the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). It was founded in 1981 when the university was established as a middle- level college of Agriculture and Technology. It began with a Diploma program in Horticulture. The first 3-year degree students (Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Horticulture) were admitted in October 1989 and the first 4-year B.Sc. Horticulture students in October 1990. In 2002 the department started offering a 4-year B.Sc. in Ornamental Science and Landscaping. In the meanwhile the diploma program was phased out gradually.
The department also offers postgraduate programs i.e. Masters (M.Sc.) and Doctor of philosophy (PhD) degrees.
The department provides theoretical and practical training to young Kenyans who will go out to develop the Horticultural and Landscape industry. It offers the students it enrols, knowledge of the latest world procedures and technological advances in agriculture and more specifically in horticulture. The acquired knowledge is practically applicable and contributes to the development and improvement of primary and secondary horticultural production. As a result, a graduate of the department is able to successfully compete in the horticultural products market, and his/her knowledge is competitive beyond the borders of Kenya and the East African region.