- The Kenya School of Agriculture and the government will establish a new campus in Tigania West, Meru County.
- Leaders say the institution will boost agricultural training, jobs and local economic growth.
- Residents have been urged to support the project through enrolment and infrastructure development.
The government, through the Kenya School of Agriculture (KSA), in partnership with Tigania West MP John Mutunga, is set to establish the ninth KSA campus at Kamutune in Tigania West Constituency, Meru County.
MP Mutunga said the decision followed consultations with Agriculture Principal Secretary Kiprono Rono and Trade Principal Secretary Regina Ombam, who agreed to establish the institution in the area.
Speaking at Kamutune, where the project is earmarked, PS Rono urged residents to prepare for the opportunities the institution will create by investing in rental housing and businesses to serve trainers, students and visitors.
He said the government targets commissioning the institution by December this year and called on residents to support the project through infrastructure development and enrolment.
Rono said the government remains committed to strengthening the agricultural sector through investment in training institutions and farmer support programmes.
Residents welcomed the project, saying it would stimulate economic activity in the largely remote area bordering Isiolo County.
They said the institution is expected to create demand for rental houses, shops, hotels, cyber cafés and transport services while accelerating road improvement and other infrastructure projects.
MP Mutunga said the constituency has recorded significant improvements in education since he assumed office in 2017.
He said university admissions from the constituency increased from 59 students in earlier years to 745 last year, following education reforms and increased stakeholder collaboration.
The legislator attributed the improvement to partnerships among schools, parents and education stakeholders, adding that learner enrolment has also risen significantly over the years.
Leaders back development projects
During the visit to the proposed site, members of the Njuri Ncheke council of elders honoured MP Mutunga.
Meru County Commissioner George Omollo said the Kamuketha campus will become the ninth Kenya School of Agriculture in the country and is expected to spur investment and open up the region economically.
He encouraged residents to take advantage of emerging business opportunities associated with the institution.
Officials from the Kenya School of Agriculture urged parents to enrol learners in agricultural training programmes, saying graduates will benefit from employment opportunities both locally and internationally.
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Athwana MCA Jim Muchui welcomed the project, saying it complements other government investments in education and infrastructure within the constituency.
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