Kapenguria: Leaders from West Pokot County have renewed their call for the establishment of a university in the region, stating that the institution would enhance access to higher education and drive socio-economic development.
According to Kenya News Agency, Governor Simon Kachapin, leading the initiative, emphasized that the necessary infrastructure for the project is already in place, having been developed during his first term before the Kisii University Kapenguria Campus was closed. Governor Kachapin highlighted that one of his primary goals before the end of his second term is to ensure the establishment of a university in West Pokot. He mentioned that the abandoned Kisii University project at Keringet is still viable and should be revitalized.
Governor Kachapin urged residents to trust the ongoing process, asserting that the county deserves improved access to higher education. He revealed that his administration is collaborating with educational stakeholders and a technical committee to evaluate the feasibility of setting up a constituent university in the county.
During a speech in Kapenguria Town, Nominated MCA Elijah Kasheusheu underscored the link between regional development and expanded educational opportunities. He cited the success of the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) in Kapenguria as evidence of how higher education can stimulate economic growth. Kasheusheu advocated for the revival of the university project at Keringet, where existing facilities and resources can be utilized.
Kapenguria Ward MCA Richard Mastaluk and Mnagei Ward MCA Richard Todosia supported these views, highlighting that the proposed university would generate employment, attract investment, and offer opportunities for youth. Todosia noted that land values around Keringet rose with the initial campus announcement, and its subsequent collapse is seen as a setback and resource wastage.
Mastaluk added that higher learning institutions often lead to the development of new residential areas, student housing, and improved services, which invigorate local economies. They referenced towns like Eldoret and Kakamega, which have experienced marked urban growth and economic progress following the establishment of universities.
The leaders called on the national government and the Ministry of Education to prioritize West Pokot in future university expansion plans, highlighting that it is among the few counties in Kenya without a university or national polytechnic. They also stressed that establishing a university would foster national integration by bringing together students and scholars from across the country, promoting shared learning, innovation, and cultural exchange.
