The Catholic University of Eastern Africa started in a modest way. It commenced as a graduate school of theology known as the The Institute was founded in 1984 by the regional ecclesiastical authority known as the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences of Eastern Africa and was known as Catholic Higher Institute of Eastern Africa .It was formally opened by Pope John Paul II On 18 August 1985. In 1986, the Graduate School of Theology started negotiations with the Commission for Higher Education in Kenya towards the establishment of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. It was granted a Civil Charter on3 November 1992 which marked the birth of the university as a private institution. In 2002, the Faculties of Science and Commerce were established. Then in 2003, the Center for Social Justice & ethics was established.