The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media
platforms spanning newspaper print
operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a
leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and
international interest.
Ndhiwa Sub-county has never had a university since time immemorial. This had seen a 45-acre piece of land being set aside at Kuoyo village in Kanyamwa Kosewe ward for the construction of a university more than two years ago. The new university would be named Raila Odinga University College of Agriculture and Technology. The university college was planned to be a constituent of Tom Mboya University in Homa Bay town.
The elders are not happy because they have received information that the land may be used for the construction of Homa Bay prison which is set to be relocated from Homa Bay town. The government plans to transfer Homa Bay GK Prison to pave the way for the expansion of Tom Mboya University which borders the prison. A fortnight ago, the Commissioner General of Kenya Prisons John Warioba who was accompanied by Homa Bay Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga toured the prison where they confirmed relocating the prison.
Warioba said the government is in the process of moving the prison to pave the way for the expansion of Tom Mboya University which is adjacent. The sub-counties which were proposed for the transfer of the prison were Ndhiwa, Suba, and Rangwe. But elders from Ndhiwa Sub-county have strongly opposed plans of constructing the prison in their county.Their argument is that the construction of the prison will deny them a chance to have a university.
Chairman of the Luo Council of Elders in Homa Bay County Joseph Ogada said a prison does not have any economic value for locals."We cannot exchange a university with a prison. There are no economic benefits which the prison has for improving the lives of the people of Ndhiwa," Ogada said.Speaking in Homa Bay town, Ogada said they had seen prison officials tour the land at Kuoyo village.
The senior citizens opposed the construction of the prison because the land was bought with NCDF funds to pave the way for a university."A university is an industry that we cannot exchange with a prison. We don't want the prison," Ogada added.Former Ndhiwa MP Otieno Ogingo argued that they had considered various parts of the country where large prisons had been established and saw there is no important economic activities in such areas.
Further, the elders say there was no public participation conducted on the matter.
