The County Government of Elgeyo Marakwet has renewed momentum in its pursuit to establish the Kerio Valley University College, breathing life back into a long-held dream to expand higher education opportunities and unlock the economic potential of the Kerio Valley region.
In a press statement, Governor Wisley Rotich has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the initiative, noting that previous attempts faced challenges but that the current strategy has placed the institution’s establishment firmly on track.
The process began in September 2022, when the county appointed a 15-member task force, chaired by Prof. Thomas K. Cheruiyot, to explore upgrading Tambach Teachers College into a fully-fledged university college.
Through ongoing collaboration with the University of Eldoret, which has agreed to serve as the mentoring institution, a dedicated technical committee has been working to steer the transition.
Significant progress has already been made, with the Commission for University Education recently visiting Tambach Teachers College to inspect existing facilities and assess compliance with accreditation standards.
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To further streamline efforts, the county formed a Transition Committee, chaired by Deputy Governor Prof. Grace Cheserek, to oversee coordination among county officials, technical experts, and stakeholders.
As part of the development plan, a technical team led by the University of Eldoret’s Prof. Paul Tarus is currently touring various proposed sites across the county.
The visits are centred on determining suitable locations for different academic schools, reviewing land availability, evaluating infrastructure, and analysing the viability of long-term expansion.
The proposed facilities include academic blocks in Tambach to host the Schools of Education, Arts, Business, Sports Science and Tourism. At the same time, the Iten County Referral Hospital is earmarked to serve as the base for the School of Health Sciences.
Additional specialised programmes are being considered in other parts of the county, including Kerio Valley and the former fluorspar belt in Kimwarer.
The government emphasised that the ongoing groundwork demonstrates serious intent and a coordinated roadmap toward achieving university status for the institution.
“We are determined to deliver this university for our people. It will not only expand access to higher education but also transform Kerio Valley into an academic, research, and innovation hub for generations to come,” he said.
By Daniel Kimalit
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