Laikipia University was founded in 1929 as a primary school by William Thomas Alfred Levet. Between 1965 and 1970, the institution served as a Large–Scale Farmers Training College (LSFTC). LSFTC was administered by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry. In October 1979, it was converted into an Animal Husbandry and Industry Training Institute (AHITI) offering a two-year course leading to a Certificate in Animal Health.