Community requests Ruto to upgrade campus to university

President William Ruto. [Kelly Ayodi, Standad]

The Igembe community in Meru is now pushing for the upgrade of the Chuka University Igembe Campus in Meru to a university college.

Chuka University acting Vice Chancellor Dorcas Isusta said the institution had spread its reach with various campuses in different counties, appreciating the people of Igembe for donating 70 acres of land for the growth of the campus.

"We have our main campus at Chuka in Tharaka Nithi, but we wanted to expand education. We partnered with education stakeholders and have a campus here (Igembe) as the community wanted. You gave us a big asset of free land," said Prof Isutsa, during a visit at Kiegoi last week where she was accompanied by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi.

Prof Isutsa said the university was in the process of acquiring the title deed for the 70 acres piece of land donated by the community.

Isutsa said the campus had made progress by training and graduating students.

Campuses scattered

The campus at Kiegoi is one of Chuka University's campuses scattered in Tharaka Nithi, Meru and Embu counties.

Prof John Kobia, the director of the campus, appealed to President William Ruto to help.

The campus was started through money from the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) Agriculture while CS Linturi was Igembe South MP.

"Current MP John Paul also facilitated the construction of another Sh2.5 million building at the campus through NG-CDF," said Prof Kobia.

Prof Henry Mutembei, deputy VC (Administration, Finance and Planning) appealed to Mr Linturi to intervene.