By John Majau
Residents of Meru County have been challenged to take advantage of the many mushrooming tertiary colleges in the area and earn the much needed cash by building hostels, hotels, shops and other students’ related business.
The county Chief of Staff Gideon Kimathi said such a move will improve the economic status of the region and uplift the living standards of the residents.
He called on the locals to take advantage of various business opportunities that will follow the establishment of the four Kenya Medical Training Colleges (KMTCs) in Meru including Miathene, Kangeta, Kanyakine and Maua that the county is partnering with national government to establish.
“I urge locals to invest in the construction of hostels and other student related businesses to boost the livelihoods of the locals. said Kimathi.
Speaking at Kanyakine Catholic Church Kimathi said many students will be accommodated outside the schools noting that if locals do not rise to the occasion many may miss hostels and in the process limit the number of admissions to the colleges.
He said some students will also be expected to eat in the nearby hotels and also do their shopping in the area.
Kimathi said a lot of students work entails research and typing and called on residents to ensure they establish enough cyber cafes to meet such needs.
Expressing similar sentiments Catholic Bishop of Meru Salesious Mugambi said the institutions across the county are expected to bring good tidings to Meru people and empower them economically.