- President Ruto will visit West Pokot to officially launch the Kapenguria University College hostels ahead of the September 2026 opening.
- Governor Simon Kachapin has confirmed, following talks with CS Julius Migos Ogamba, that the institution remains on course to admit its pioneer students as planned.
- The university college has been positioned as a major milestone for West Pokot, expected to ease the burden on students who previously travelled outside the county for higher education while boosting local economic activity.
President William Ruto is expected to visit West Pokot to officially launch the hostels at Kapenguria University College, as the institution prepares to admit its pioneer cohort of students in September 2026.
The confirmation came from West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin following a meeting with Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba, during which the two discussed progress on the university college and preparations for its commencement. Kachapin said the Cabinet Secretary confirmed the institution remains on course to begin operations in September, paving the way for the admission of its first students.
The Governor also confirmed that President Ruto is expected to visit the county to officially open the university hostels as preparations intensify ahead of the pioneer intake. The planned presidential visit is expected to provide a significant boost to the institution and underline the national importance attached to expanding access to higher education and skills development across the country.
Kapenguria University College’s establishment marks a historic milestone for West Pokot’s education sector, bringing university education closer to young people in the county for the first time. For years, students seeking university education in West Pokot have had to travel outside the county, placing added financial and logistical strain on their families. The new institution is expected to ease that burden, giving young people the opportunity to pursue higher education closer to home.
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Beyond easing the travel burden on students, the university college represents a broader investment in the county’s human capital and a significant step toward transforming Kapenguria into a growing hub for education and skills development. Officials expect the institution to generate wider economic activity in Kapenguria and its surrounding areas, with the arrival of students, lecturers and support staff likely to boost demand for accommodation, transport, food, retail and other services. The institution is also expected to provide a platform for academic research, innovation and skills development, contributing to solutions for local and regional development challenges.
The planned hostel launch comes as the university college enters a critical phase of preparation. It will be an important step in ensuring the institution is adequately equipped to house its pioneer students once academic activities begin, while also offering an opportunity to showcase the infrastructure built ahead of the September start date and demonstrate government commitment to making the college fully operational.
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The opening of Kapenguria University College is set to reshape the education landscape in West Pokot, creating a new pathway to university education for students in the county and neighbouring areas. It is expected to complement existing education facilities while strengthening Kapenguria’s emergence as a centre for education and professional development, and could attract fresh investment, partnerships and business activity to the county in support of local economic growth.
For young people in West Pokot, however, the greatest significance lies in the opportunity to pursue university education closer to their families, while gaining the knowledge and skills needed to participate in Kenya’s evolving economy.
The September 2026 commencement will mark the institution’s transition from a long-awaited development project into a fully functioning institution of higher learning.
By Hillary Muhalya
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