Ruto urged to revive Koitalel University

President William Ruto, Dr Blasious Ruguri University of Eastern Africa Baraton Chancellor (centre) and the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Msafiri Mmamba Jackson during the varsity's 42nd graduation ceremony in Nandi county. [PCS]

The push for the establishment of a university named after Nandi resistance hero Koitalel Arap Samoei emerged during President William Ruto's visit to Nandi over the weekend.

Nandi locals and leaders asked the president to intervene and revive stalled projects at the proposed Koitalel University. 

Residents expressed their displeasure with what they termed as attempts to frustrate implementation of multi-million University projects that were conceived over a decade ago. 

The proposed University was launched in 2017 by President Uhuru Kenyatta who laid a foundation stone on a 100 acre piece of land hived from Samoei Boys High School. 

The project has, however, not taken off even after the government allocated Sh100 million in 2022 that was meant to fund setting up of school amenities.

Nandi leaders claimed the actualisation of the projects has been shrouded by conflict of interests, land rows and non-committal efforts of the previous government administrations to deliver on the promise. 

During the commissioning of a Sh349 million water project in Nandi Hills, leaders including Governor Stephen Sang, Julius Meli (MP Tinderet), Paul Biego (MP Chesumei), Benard Kitur (MP Nandi hills) and a host of MCAs yielded to the calls and implored the president to shed light on the status of the Koitalel Samoei University.

Nandi Governor claimed there has been no development at the institution two years since Kenya Kwanza assumed office.

"The institution was a noble initiative that symbolise the heritage of the community and it will benefit the learners. This is the only landmark that epitomises the fight and struggle of the Nandi community to defend their land that years later culminated in Kenya's independence," he stated.

Koitalel Samoei University is currently based at Mosoriot as a constituent of University of Nairobi.