The Commission for University Education (CUE) has embarked on the process of establishing Nyamira County’s first-ever university. This initiative follows a directive from President William Ruto aimed at enhancing higher education accessibility in the region. The proposed site for this pioneering institution is Kiabonyoru Boys High School, which has been inspected by CUE officials to assess its suitability.
During the inspection, CUE CEO Mike Kuria emphasized the importance of this project, underscoring the university’s potential to provide quality education to students from across Kenya. “The primary objective is to lay a strong foundation for university education in Nyamira. Once established, this institution will be a beacon of quality education accessible to Kenyans from all regions,” Kuria stated.
The visit by CUE representatives to Kiabonyoru was focused on evaluating the site’s readiness, including the availability of essential facilities and adherence to legal requirements. This initial phase of assessment is critical in ensuring that the university can meet the educational needs of future students while complying with the necessary standards.
However, the establishment of the university has not been without controversy. Just a week before CUE’s visit, a group of 44 petitioners, led by West Mugirango MP Steve Mogaka, approached the court with a legal challenge against the government’s plans. The petitioners argue that the decision to locate the university at Kiabonyoru should be determined solely by CUE, not by the executive branch.
Their legal representative, Danstan Omari, has asserted that the establishment of a university is within the jurisdiction of CUE and not the Cabinet or the President. “We have included the Attorney General in the suit, as her office needs to clarify to President Ruto and the Cabinet that they lack the legal authority to decide on the location of a university. This is explicitly within the mandate of CUE,” Omari explained.
In addition to questioning the legality of the site selection process, the petitioners have raised concerns about the alleged mismanagement of funds intended for educational development. They are calling for an investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) into the alleged misappropriation of over Ksh.100 million, which was reportedly allocated for a constituent campus of Eldoret University at Kiabonyoru. The petitioners contend that there is substantial evidence indicating financial mismanagement, further complicating the issue.
The controversy surrounding the university’s establishment highlights the broader challenges facing educational infrastructure projects in Kenya. As the CUE continues with its process, it will need to address both the legal and administrative concerns raised by the petitioners. Ensuring transparency and adherence to legal protocols will be crucial in maintaining public trust and support for the project.
The outcome of the legal challenge will likely influence the progress of the university’s establishment. In the meantime, CUE’s efforts to assess and prepare the Kiabonyoru site will proceed, with the aim of overcoming any hurdles and advancing the goal of enhancing educational opportunities in Nyamira.
The establishment of Nyamira’s first university represents a significant step forward in expanding higher education access in Kenya. While the path is currently fraught with legal and administrative challenges, the potential benefits for the region’s students and the broader educational landscape make it a crucial development to watch. As the situation unfolds, stakeholders and the public will be keenly observing how these issues are resolved and how they impact the future of higher education in Nyamira.
