The relocation of the historic Kitale County Hospital to the newly established Wamalwa Kijana Teaching and Referral Hospital has paved the way for the establishment of proposed Trans Nzoia University. This development emerged from a 12-member Task Force report led by Prof Lumalo Masibo, which Governor George Natembeya commissioned to explore the possibility of establishing a public university in the county.
Despite the report’s recommendations being released over a year ago, little progress has been made toward launching the university, initially scheduled for 2025. The report designated the former Kitale County Hospital grounds, covering approximately 57 acres, as the official site for the new institution, with Bungoma-based Kibabii University set to mentor the upcoming university.
If realized, establishing Trans Nzoia University would remove the county from the list of 17 counties without a public or private university. Governor Natembeya emphasized the need for a higher learning institution in the agriculture-rich county, questioning why hardship areas like Turkana and West Pokot already have public universities while Trans Nzoia lags behind.
With satellite campuses such as Mt Kenya University, Kisii University, and Moi University in Kitale recently closed, the new university aims to provide accessible education for local students. Only the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) maintains a struggling presence in the town.
Some private institutions have emerged to enhance medical education in the region, including the Kitale Medical Training Center (KMTC), Sis Frida Nursing College, and Cherangany College of Health Sciences (CCHS).
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The latter recently graduated its first cohort of 106 students and continues running mentorship programmes supporting the Ministry of Health’s Community Health Promoters (CHP) Initiative.
CCHS officials, led by Principal Irene Oyalo, CEO Silas Kisang’, and Deputy MD Stephen Njuguna, emphasized their efforts to support students from low-income families by offering affordable fees and ensuring students complete their studies on time.
Additionally, the Real Group of Hospitals plans to open another medical training institution to meet the growing demand for medical services in the region. Meanwhile, Kitale National Polytechnic, which enrols approximately 5,000 students, continues to provide an alternative for those unable to access university education.
Despite efforts to upgrade Kitale Polytechnic into a university through a motion filed by former Kiminini MP Dr Chris Wamalwa, the initiative failed due to insufficient legislative support.
Questions remain regarding Trans Nzoia County’s readiness to address the factors that previously contributed to the closure of satellite campuses. Concerns include low student enrollment, financial challenges, and a lack of sponsors.
The proposed Trans Nzoia University’s success hinges on meeting the Commission for University Education (CUE) standards, which require adequate resources, infrastructure, governance, and sponsors.
While Prof Masibo’s report cited potential community fundraising efforts, no clear sponsor has been identified. “Even the residents and stakeholders had indicated they were willing to fund-raise in the support of the unique, self-sustaining and globally-recognized university,” he said.
He added: “The university will be guided by a strong focus on experienced learning with emphasis on employability, skills, interaction with the community and outreach activities and focus on problem-solving.”
Governor Natembeya remains optimistic, hoping the national government will support the university’s establishment to enhance educational opportunities for rural students.
Local education stakeholders including Trans Nzoia KUPPET Executive Secretary Furaha Lusweti and County Parents Association Chairman Wellington Waliaula have welcomed the inititaive believing it will boost the county’s economy and ease the financial burden on parents.
“We welcome the gigantic project well knowing its challenges and we will therefore not allow it slip from our fingers,” he said.
Similar sentiments were amplified by the chairman of the County Association of Parents Wellington Waliaula who said it was a relief for most parents for their children to learn from home to cut on expenses of accommodation and transport.
The members of the Prof Masibo Task Force included Dr Hellen Yego as the Vice-chairperson, Prof. Battam Khaemba, Emmauel Makokha, Alfred Wamang’oli, Dr David Wafula and Caleb Elung’ata. Others were Prof. Godrick Bulila, Julius Kivaze, Hosea Chemche, Rose Mambili and Eliud Mwichabe (deceased)
It remains to be seen how Governor Natembeya will walk the talk and become the first leader to push for the establishment of a public university in Trans Nzoia, 60 years after Independence and accomplish his agenda for the 2022 Manifesto.
The county’s success will depend on overcoming the challenges plaguing public universities, including salary delays and funding concerns, to ensure the institution gets a strong start.
By Abisai Amugune
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