MCAs against my new varsity dream, says Governor Rasanga

Siaya governor Cornel Rasanga. PIC BY COLLINS ODUOR

Governor Cornel Rasanga has accused some members of the local county assembly (MCAs) of frustrating his efforts to construct a public university.

Speaking during a meeting at Siaya Agricultural Training Centre (ATC), Mr Rasanga said that his dream to come up with another university in the county has become impossible due to "sabotage".

"We started this university project a long time ago but unfortunately we have just been moving in circles and to date I still doubt if this construction process will ever take off," he said.

The governor said that most of the MCAs opposing the idea are actually against him and not the project as they cannot offer any valid reasons for turning it down.

"A university will be useful to every individual in this county but there are a few leaders who cannot see its importance. The town will develop fast economically with a university around," he said.

The county government has already allocated Sh90 million for the construction of Barack Obama University in Siaya town.

Rasanga further said that his re-election in 2017 will be highly pegged on the new public university and stated that his government will give incentives to enable the dream come true.

But the MCAs have denied that they are opposed to the construction of the university.

Central Alego MCA Leonard Oriaro said the governor did not mention anything to do with the university in the annual development plan and the county physical strategy paper.

"He has not even done justice to the local polytechnics and the early childhood development centres and just wants cheap publicity by bringing a university to take over the ATC. He has no agenda or dreams," he said.