By Obegi Malack
Kajiado County residents have to wait longer to have a public university in the county after the county government failed to honor their promise of starting one.
During a gubernatorial debate, Governor Joseph ole Lenku, who had in 2018 announced the formation of a taskforce chaired by Prof Solomon Mpoke, was taken to task over the issue.
Other members were former JKUAT Vice-Chancellor Prof Nick Wanjohi, Dr Naomi Kipury, former Kajiado Central MP David Sankori, former PS Joshua Polong, Dr Alice Lakati, Charles Ogada and Philip Koitalel.
The county had identified land and constructed a gate, only for initiative yet to materialize to date. Lenku said they had followed the right procedure in starting the university, with the license the only thing standing in their way.
The governor said the process was politicized that is why they are yet to get the license.
Former governor David Nkedianye said the governor does not understand the process of coming up with a university, he blamed the governor for wasting public funds in a project that is now stagnated.
“They don’t understand the process of putting up a university they only built a Sh20 million gate, a total wastage of public funds; you have to receive license before putting up the buildings,” Nkedianye said.
Gubernatorial candidate Peter Kago stated that the county had to start with foundation by putting up structures in ECDE and primary schools. This, he said, will ensure more students join university.
Kajiado County has has six private universities and no public university.
