After false starts, Nyamira on course to have first university

Kiabonyoru High School Principal Richard Sriemba addressing students. [Stanley Ongwae, Standard] Plans to establish the first ever university in Nyamira County have started with a team spearheading the process already looking for a suitable site. On Wednesday, a seven-member team from Kisii University started a feasibility study, looking into the possibility of upgrading an institution and converting it into a university. The committee, led by Prof Christopher Ngachi, visited some of the institutions in Nyamira County that have been proposed for conversion into a university. Ngachi's team also met with area Education Executive Emily Ongaga and her Lands counterpart Steve Oboso to identify what would be the most suitable site to establish the university. Ngachi said the university senate had received a list of names of institutions that stakeholders feel can be converted into a university. Area governor Amos Nyaribo said the committee is on a mission to find out whether the proposed institutions have title deeds, enough land for expansion, and are accessible. They are also looking at its topography. Other factors being considered are the existing infrastructure of the institutions, general security and distance from the main university. "The committee is expected to give its recommendations in two weeks. We expect positive feedback. This is what our people want," said Nyaribo, who met local leaders in Mombasa on Wednesday evening to discuss the matter. Senator Okong'o Omogeni, MPs Jerusha Momanyi (Nyamira Woman Rep), Joash Nyamoko (North Mugirango), Steve Mogaka (West Mugirango), Clive Gisairo (Kitutu Masaba), Patrick Osero (Borabu) and Nominated MP Rene Nyakerario attended the meeting. In a media statement after the meeting, Nyaribo said the leaders agreed that Kisii University should conduct a feasibility study on six sites. The proposed sites include Senator Kebaso High School and Bomodo Primary (West Mugirango), Sengera Manga and Manga Model School (Kitutu Masaba), Kiabonyoru High School, Riakimae, Ikonge Boys and Simbauti Farm in Borabu. "The leaders unanimously agreed that the proposed university shall have a constituent college in every constituency," Nyaribo said. Nyakerario said the discussions centred on, among other things, the establishment of Kisii University's Nyamira campus and modalities on how to ensure all four constituencies benefit from this milestone project. "Together we can make Nyamira prosperous by working together irrespective of our political affiliations. This will benefit our people." West Mugirango MP Mogaka, in a letter to the Kisii University Vice-Chancellor Nathan Ogechi, dated January 29, 2024, said his constituents had offered Senator Kebaso High School infrastructure to house the proposed university college. "Public participation involving stakeholders has been conducted and the consensus to offer the same institution reached," said Mogaka. The MP said using CDF and Kuwait Funds, he will be expanding the facility in the 2023/24 financial year. The facility will be ready to receive you in the next intake." In the letter, the MP said: "Our analysis on the development of existing universities is that they start at the city and in our case, Nyamira's CBD, and then expand into the hinterland. Our offer of the facilities helps you to walk through the beaten path to achieve the long overdue dream of the proposed University of Nyamira." But Ongaga had, on January 22, 2024, had written to Prof Ogechi on the location of the proposed university and seemed to differ with Mogaka on Senator Kebaso High School. "We are delighted that President William Ruto has approved the establishment of a university college at Nyamira County to be mentored by Kisii University." She said the county had proposed three sites; Ikonge Boys with 52 acres, Ekerubo Gietai 48.3 acres and Obwari-Sere 30.3 acres. Rigoma MCA Nyambega Gisesa, in his letter to Prof Ogechi, too said the sites proposed by the county education minister had left out other sub-counties. "Whereas the idea of a university is welcome, the dream will be realized and appreciated in a process which takes into consideration public participation, fair distribution of resources and local ownership," he said. He said the late Education CS George Saitoti had identified Kiomagake area as the site for the new university and even laid a foundation stone on March 4, 2011. The MCA said the late Governor John Nyagarama also led a survey and approved Kiabonyoru High School as the location of the university. Mid-last year, the leaders successfully lobbied for the establishment of a National Polytechnic in the county. At a meeting at the Kakamega State Lodge with President Ruto, it was agreed that Ekerubo Gietai Technical Training Institute be elevated to a National Polytechnic.

After false starts, Nyamira on course to have first university

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