Leaders agree on the location of Baringo University

Eldama Ravine MP Musa Sirma said five MPs agreed on the location of Baringo University. [File, Standard]

The proposed Baringo University will be constructed in Kabarnet town after five local MPs agreed on the location.

Eldama Ravine MP Musa Sirma told The Standard that the controversy on the location of the university has ended after five MPs agreed on the matter except one.

“We saw that Kabarnet town was an ideal site, because of the availability of land, and construction of the university will help to develop the County headquarters,” he said.

Last year, Governor Benjamin Cheboi received a task force report on public views proposing Moi Teachers College in Baringo Central as the ideal location.

The task force report had recommended Moi Teachers College in Seretunin, Baringo Central to host Baringo University College of Technology (BUCT), with Moi University proposed as the mentoring university.

However, the leaders differerd on the location of the university, as Baringo South MP Charles Kamuren proposed Chemeron.

During the 10th annual Kimalel Goat Auction and Cultural Festival in Baringo on December 17, 2024, President William Ruto said that the university will be constructed in January 2025.

“Have held meetings with your leaders, and they have agreed on the location, we will construct Baringo University in January,” he said.

Sirma said that the university will attract investors and create jobs in Baringo.

He revealed that satellite campuses will be constructed across the sub-counties.

The MP said that 70 acres of idle land government were available in Kabarnet town, refuting claims that the project would affect Kabarnet Boys High School operations.

“It is time we have a university of our own, it is a big shame that we failed to have one, this move will be a huge milestone, we made up a decision to construct the university at Kabarnet and stand with it,” Sirma said.

Sirma insisted that Moi Teachers College can’t serve as a university.

“We can’t remove something that is existing, we still need the college to train teachers and serve its meaning,” he said.