The Council is the supreme governing body of the institution. Its principal mandate is to oversee the activities and operations of the institution on behalf of the Government. In this, the Council is concerned with the setting of broad policy directions for the institution and to follow up on how such policies are being executed by management. As the reporting agency to Government, the Council is responsible for the approval of the budget and the performance contract. The Council is also considered as the employer on behalf of the Government and the management thus only employs staff on behalf of the Council. The Council is responsible for ensuring that there are adequate structures in place for the efficient and effective management of the institution. The composition of the Council shall be as provided for in the Universities Act, 2012.

Members of the Council

Dr. Idle Omar Farah has been appointed the new Chairperson Council. Other members recently appointed include Dr. Hassan Khannenje and Mr Justin Kabuku. The new appointments are in addition to other members of Council including:  Dr. John Nyangena (Representing the Principal Secretary, State Department of Higher Education and Research, Ministry of Education), Ms. Isabella Kogei (representing the Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Planning) Dr Angelina Awino Kinya, Hon. David Koech, Mr. Bernard Malenya and the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Benedict Mutua who serves as Council Secretary.