Nairobi: West Pokot County is edging closer to making history after a technical team from the University of Nairobi (UoN) conducted a comprehensive inspection of the proposed Kapenguria University College, signaling a major step towards the establishment of the County’s first-ever university college.
According to Kenya News Agency, the inspection at the institution’s Keringet campus brought together West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin, University of Nairobi Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Prof. John Mande, senior university officials, members of the university taskforce, local leaders and hundreds of residents eager to witness the progress of a project that promises to transform access to higher education in the region.
For decades, West Pokot has lacked a university college of its own, forcing students to seek higher education in other counties at considerable financial cost to their families. The only university the county briefly enjoyed was a Kisii University satellite campus, which ceased operations years ago.
Governor Kachapin said the establishment of Kapenguria University College was among the flagship education projects he prioritized upon assuming office, noting that the Institution would open up opportunities for thousands of young people who previously had to leave the county in pursuit of university education.
The Governor said the University of Nairobi technical team had completed a detailed assessment of the 72-acre campus, inspecting lecture halls, administration offices, student welfare facilities, kitchen and dining areas, water and sanitation systems, ICT infrastructure and other supporting amenities. He noted that renovation works were at an advanced stage, with only a few areas requiring completion, before the Institution moves to the next phase of establishment.
The proposed institution is expected to begin operations as a constituent college of the University of Nairobi, before eventually growing into a fully-fledged university. According to the implementation plan, the Institution is expected to admit its pioneer students in September 2026, following the completion of statutory approval processes.
Speaking during the inspection, Prof. Mande said he was impressed by the progress made in preparing the institution and assured residents that the University of Nairobi remains committed to transforming Kapenguria University College into a centre of academic excellence. He explained that the establishment of a university college follows a legally prescribed process, including public participation, where members of the community will be invited to present their views through memoranda.
The visit attracted widespread support from residents, many of whom described the university college as a long-awaited development that will transform the county socially and economically. Speaking on behalf of residents, Mr. Peter Katimu of Keringet welcomed the inspection exercise and thanked the County Government for championing the establishment of the institution.
The proposed Kapenguria University College is expected to become a catalyst for socio-economic transformation by expanding access to higher education, promoting research and innovation, creating employment opportunities and stimulating local businesses. County leaders expressed optimism that once operational, the Institution will retain more students within the County, reduce education-related expenses incurred by families and position West Pokot as an emerging centre for academic excellence in the North Rift region.
With the technical inspection completed and the final report expected within days before submission to the Commission for University Education, residents now await the remaining approval stages that will pave the way for the admission of the institution’s first cohort of students.
