Governor asks residents to donate land to set up varsity

Elgeyo/Marakwet, Kenya: Elgeyo/Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos has reached out to residents to donate 1,000 acres for the establishment of a university.

The call comes after the move to convert Tambach Teachers Training College into a university was frustrated by a section of the leaders.

The opposing leaders opined that the county government should look for alternative land to set up a university instead of converting the college, which has provided technical training to many students from the region and beyond.

“We have been given the go ahead to set up a university by the Commission of Higher Education (CHE) to establish the first ever university but sadly, we do not have enough land,” Mr Tolgos said.

He added that the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) had also assured the county that it would allocate money for the construction of the university.

“Both commissions are in agreement with us on the need to set up this university. CRA is ready to give us the money but CHE first wants us to have a minimum of 1,000 acres before it can sanction the construction,” said the governor.

Tolgos said the county is targeting the Kerio Valley region where land is communally owned to access the 1,000 acres.

“We are asking both the Keiyo and Marakwet communities that have land in the valley to sit and consider giving us the 1,000 acres,” he said. The governor said the communities would then reap the benefits of the university among them being considered first for jobs and tenders to supply goods and services to the institution.

Speaking at Iten playgrounds during the Madaraka Day celebrations, the governor accompanied by Keiyo North MP James Murgor also called on residents to change attitudes when it comes to land matters.

The governor said the county’s efforts to buy land for setting up of offices for his government had hit a snag following reluctance by locals to sell their land.

He cited Iten that currently serves as the county headquarters, saying development of the town had stagnated due to owners of plots who were not willing to develop or sell them to prospective developers.

Undermining governor

Meanwhile, elders from various communities in Trans Nzoia County have accused some leaders from the area of undermining Governor Patrick Khaemba.

They claimed the leaders have been inciting the public against the county government.

The elders complained that some people who lost out in the last General Election are propagating malice against the leadership of the governor.

Led by former Chairman of Nzoia County Council Christopher Makokha, the elders asked the disgruntled leaders to give Khaemba time to work and develop the county.

“We are not happy with the way some leaders are behaving. Some of these political rejects are propagating malice and undermining the governor. We will not allow such selfish individuals to mislead the people,” he warned.

The warning comes in the wake of reports that some of those defeated by the governor are plotting a scheme to collect signatures from the public to remove Khaemba from office over alleged corruption.

The elders dismissed such scheme and condemned those behind the plot adding that such action is bound to fail.

“These people were in power and failed to assist our people to tackle poverty. We will not allow them to mislead the public to rebel against the governor. We have confidence with the leadership of the Khaemba,” said Makokha.

PERSONAL VENDETtA

The elders supported the governor’s leadership and asked his political rivals to keep off. They asked the local electorates to reject the ill-planned scheme.

“We ask those with personal vendetta against the governor not to use their resources to fight him but instead, support development. We challenge all leaders to support the development of the county and address various economic woes facing the people,” said the elders.

At the same time, the elders welcomed the announcement by former Cabinet minister Eugene Wamalwa that he will work with the county government leadership.

“We salute Eugene for resolving to work with the governor. We urge all leaders irrespective of their party to join Khaemba to transform the county,” added Makokha.