Now Sh500m varsity college to be set up in Bomet Town

What you need to know:

  • A section of leaders, among them Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, had been pushing for the institution to be put up in Sigor. However, others, including a host of MPs from the region, had proposed that it be constructed in Bomet Town.
  • Prof Mibei thanked President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy for issuing title deeds for the land on which the main campus will be constructed, when they toured the area more than three weeks ago.
  • He said his government and members of the county assembly were not consulted over the decision to have the college built in Bomet Town.

A Sh500 million constituent college of Moi University will finally be constructed in Bomet Town.

Vice-Chancellor Richard Mibei made the announcement Tuesday in a move that is expected to end the controversy surrounding the location of the college.

A section of leaders, among them Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, had been pushing for the institution to be put up in Sigor. However, others, including a host of MPs from the region, had proposed that it be constructed in Bomet Town.

Prof Mibei said the main campus would be built in Bomet Town, with satellite ones set up in sub-counties. He spoke at Sigor High School in Chepalungu Sub-County.
He seemed to be echoing a recent announcement made by Deputy President William Ruto.

The VC, Commission for University Education Chairman David Some and Bomet County Education Board members were in the region to assess the facilities in the areas that have been identified for the construction of the main campus and satellite ones.

Prof Mibei thanked President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy for issuing title deeds for the land on which the main campus will be constructed, when they toured the area more than three weeks ago.

“We urge the local community and leaders to support the university and the campuses the government plans to establish in the region,” he said.

He added: “Bomet residents are lucky to have these institutions. Other counties are yearning to have them but they have not been considered.”

Prof Some said the commission and the Moi University Senate had inspected the facilities available and would come up with a report on the issue in the next three weeks.

CHANGED HIS STANCE

At the weekend, Governor Ruto appeared to have changed his stance over the location of the college, saying he was not bothered as long as it was within his county.

“If it is to be located in Bomet Town, the stadium being constructed in the area should not be flattened. My administration allocated Sh120 million for the project,” he added.

He said his government and members of the county assembly were not consulted over the decision to have the college built in Bomet Town. He added that the move contravened the spirit of devolution, which called for cooperation between the national and regional governments.