Bandari College was established by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and was officially commissioned on 26th September 1980 by the then Head of State, His Excellency Daniel Arap Moi. The purpose was to deliver in-house port operations and cargo handling trainings to staff of both KPA and the defunct Kenya Cargo Handling Services Limited (KCHSL).The primary objective of setting up the college was first as a stop gap measure to develop necessary skills to ensure continuity in port operations after the collapse of East African Railways and Harbours Corporation. Subsequently it became necessary to develop better skills, to enhance port operations, efficiency and competitiveness. Initially, the in-house training for KPA and KCHSL staff was focused on skills-upgrading and in later years, the College expanded its scope of training to include nautical studies. As the College expanded, it began to admit students from the Indian Ocean hinterland.