The Institute for Development Studies (IDS) is one of the oldest and a premier research institute in Africa. IDS is a multipurpose and multidisciplinary Institute within the University of Nairobi.

Founded on October 8, 1965, as part of the then University of East Africa, later on as part of the University of Nairobi, IDS has carried out academic and policy-oriented research on social, economic and political issues of development in Kenya, regionally and globally. IDS has also been involved in developing capacity for the analysis of development issues through its Master of Development Studies and PhD in Development Studies programmes.

The Institute turns 60 years on October 8th of October, 2025. The Director of Research is pleased to invite you to a two-day celebration in commemoration of the Institute’s sixty years of existence. A concept note is being developed and will be shared in due course.