Wajir: President William Ruto has underscored the importance of expanding higher education in Northern Kenya, announcing plans to construct a university in Wajir County.
According to Kenya News Agency, President Ruto made the announcement during the Madaraka Day celebrations, stating that the government will prioritize the establishment of the institution as part of efforts to expand access to university education across the country. He directed local leaders and the county government to identify a suitable parcel of land for the construction of the university, terming it a key priority in the government’s education infrastructure agenda.
The Head of State emphasized that education remains the most powerful tool in addressing inequality and expanding opportunity, noting that investment in learning institutions is central to national development. He highlighted that education is a bridge between promise and possibility, between poverty and prosperity, and between exclusion and belonging.
President Ruto also mentioned that the proposed university will help bridge the gap in access to higher education for learners in Wajir and surrounding counties, reducing the need for students to travel long distances in search of university education. He stressed that Kenya’s long-term transformation will depend on strengthening learning institutions, including universities that can support skills development, research, and innovation.
Furthermore, President Ruto stated that the expansion of university education in underserved regions is part of a broader national plan to decentralize higher learning institutions and promote equitable access to education opportunities. He directed that the project be fast-tracked through collaboration between county and national government structures to ensure timely implementation.
Once established, Wajir University is expected to serve as a key center for higher learning in the region, offering degree programs and expanding access to tertiary education for local students.
