Former Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya has pledged to push for the establishment of a public university in Trans Nzoia if elected governor.
Speaking during a rally in Saboti, Mr Natembeya noted that many students especially those from poor families have been forced to stay at home after universities shut constituent campuses in the county.
"The establishment of a public university is one of my key agendas in our manifesto. I want to bring hope to poor students who abandoned their studies after constituents of some universities were closed down," he said.
He promised that his administration will work with the national government to construct a university to in the region.
"My administration will work with the national government to establish a university and ensure poor students get adequate bursaries to complete their university education," said the former administrator.
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Mr Natembeya said he will persuade the national government to hive off the land of the Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) to put up the facility.
"ADC has enough land and I will persuade the national government to provide land from the corporation to put up the university," he said.
Former Rift Valley Regional Commissioner regretted that many students are forced to travel to Eldoret to access higher education.
"We have to establish a university here to help tap potential among local children," he said.
Mr Natembeya argued that the establishment of the university will speed up development in the county.
Moi, Kisii, Mt Kenya universities shut constituent campuses in the region.
