- MP Gisairo raises doubts about Nyamira University’s readiness to admit its pioneer September intake, questioning transparency on admission numbers under Kisii University’s guardianship.
- MP Nyamoko reassures parents that the first cohort will proceed as planned, urging families to ignore contradictory political statements.
- The University establishment remains contentious, with construction ongoing at the Kiabonyoru site, interim structures managed by Kisii University, and assessments pending before full autonomy is granted.
Kitutu Masaba Member of Parliament (MP) Clive Gisairo has cast doubt on whether Nyamira University will be ready to admit its pioneer cohort of students by September, as earlier promised by authorities, setting off a public disagreement with a fellow legislator over the institution’s state of readiness.
Speaking at Kiabonyoru site in his constituency during an inspection of National Government Constituency Development Fund projects, Gisairo pressed Kisii University Vice Chancellor Prof. Nathan Ogechi to publicly disclose how many of the students placed at Kisii University in the recently announced KUCCPS selections are actually destined for the new Nyamira campus.
“Kisii University showed that 7,903 students were selected to join here. We want to know if these are part of those to join Nyamira University,” Gisairo inquired.
Gisairo reminded residents that when Nyamira University was launched, it was stated that the institution would operate under the guardianship of Kisii University until it attained full autonomy. He argued that without transparency on admission numbers, parents and students are left confused about where the September cohort will actually study.
However, North Mugirango MP Joash Nyamoko moved swiftly to allay the concerns, assuring parents that admission of the first cohort will proceed as planned in September and urging them to disregard what he termed contradictory statements from politicians that could cause unnecessary anxiety.
ALSO READ:
Kibabii University denies appointing Prof. Julius Maiyo as new Vice-Chancellor
“The Ministry of Education has a definite programme on how to operationalise the institutions,” Nyamoko said. “Nyamira University is there to stay like any other funded Government institution of higher learning. Parents should prepare their children for admission.”
The disagreement between the two legislators is the latest chapter in what has been a controversial establishment process for Nyamira University since its launch. The campus was unveiled amid protests and political contestation so tense that President William Ruto deployed armed police officers to oversee construction at the site and ensure work continued uninterrupted.
Nyamira University currently runs under Kisii University, with Prof. Ogechi’s team tasked with setting up interim structures, hiring initial staff and aligning academic programmes. Construction of lecture halls, administration blocks and hostels has been ongoing at the Kiabonyoru site, with some blocks complete and others still at various stages of development.
The university was also listed in the 2025/2026 KUCCPS placements, paving the way for the planned September intake. The Commission for University Education is expected to conduct assessments before full charters and autonomy can be granted.
With two months remaining before the planned September intake, the debate now centres on readiness versus reassurance.
For parents in Nyamira and neighbouring counties, the hope remains unchanged regardless of the political back-and-forth: that Nyamira University will open its doors on time and deliver quality, affordable education closer to home.
By Enock Okong’o
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
