Small towns economy likely to collapse over universities closure

Education CS George Magoha when he appeared before the Senate Education Committee at Parliament. [Boniface Okendo/Standard]

Grassroots leaders in Mt. Kenya region are worried that the proposed closure and merger of universities will lead to the economic collapse of towns that have grown recently on the back of hosting the learning institutions, a move that will lead to significant loss of income, jobs and investments.

Big and small towns like Chuka inTharaka Nithi, Karatina in Nyeri, Kutus in Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Nyeri, Meru, Juja and Ruiru in Kiambu are among those staring at a significant loss of income and employment should universities they host be closed or merged in a way that diminishes student population.