First public varsity for Kabarnet: Ruto

Elgeyo-Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen and Deputy President William Ruto attend a church fundraiser at Kapkeben High School in Uasin Gishu County on July 24, 2016. Mr Ruto has said Baringo County will have a public university soon. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The DP’s statement, made at a funds drive in Kabarnet on Sunday, now puts to rest a feud among local leaders over the university’s location.
  • Former Kabarnet Mayor Ambrose Kandie said residents donated more than 45 acres of land in 1982 and they will not surrender their title deeds to pave way for the construction of a university.

The first public university in Baringo County will be established in Kabarnet Township, Baringo Central Sub-County, instead of Chemeron in Baringo South, Deputy President William Ruto has said.

The DP’s statement, made at a funds drive in Kabarnet on Sunday, now puts to rest a feud among local leaders over the university’s location.

However, the move will not please former President Daniel arap Moi, along with Baringo South MP Grace Kipchoim and her Baringo Central counterpart Sammy Mwaita.

The MPs wanted the university in their respective constituencies.

Ms Kipchoim wants the university built at Chemeron “because about 1,500 acres has been donated by local people” while Mr Mwaita wants Baringo Technical College in Kapsoo elevated to a university instead of looking for another land.

Mr Moi has, however, differed with the proposal on several occasions.

He is on record as saying he pioneered the college with the vision of transforming the lives of the youth who opt to get technical skills and asked country leaders supporting the move to keep off the institution.

Mr Ruto urged Mr Moi to take his proposal positively.

“I want to appeal to retired President Moi to support me in this cause of establishing a public university in Kabarnet Township,” said Mr Ruto.

“Just as he built several universities in other regions during his tenure, so will I in Kabarnet for the benefit of the children of this country.”

Former Kabarnet Mayor Ambrose Kandie said residents donated more than 45 acres of land in 1982 and they will not surrender their title deeds to pave way for the construction of a university.

He said they wanted a technical institute instead.

Mr Kandie, however, dismissed claims that he hit out at some local leaders, whom he said were a big impediment to development in the area.

Baringo Central Deputy County Commissioner Julius Bolei said although there was a need for a university there, a technical institute was also a priority.

The construction of the university has not started two years down the line due to the wrangles among leaders and residents over its location.

Residents of Baringo South, led by Community Steering Committee Chairman William Tengecha, have stood in the way to have a university in the region.

Mr Tengecha has said that the residents have been pushing for it but local leaders have not shown a commitment.