By John Majau
University Academic Staff Union (UASU) from Chuka University have refused to surrender part of its varsity land to Tharaka Nithi County government.
The union is opposed to a move by the devolved unit to hive 100 acres off its 500-acres Kairini land for the establishment of an industrial aggregation and value addition park.
Speaking during a presser at the university, the members led by the chairperson, Dr Alice Lunani and Secretary Thomas Motindi, said the move was illegal and a threat to the university’s expansion and research.
They blamed Governor Muthomi Njuki for deliberately ‘lying’ to President William Ruto that the university had accepted to give out the land noting that the council had already declined the request from the County government.
The governor told the President that the university had given out the land for the proposed Sh 200 million project, which is a collaboration of the national government and devolved governments.
Njuki made the remarks during an interdenominational prayer and thanksgiving service attended by President Ruto last Sunday at Kirubia Stadium in Chuka/Igambang’ombe Constituency.
The parks which are meant to help in adding value to agricultural produce will be established in the 47 counties.
“The move by the county government to forcibly take 100 acres belonging to the university is illegal and threatens the expansion of the institution and research activities,” said Dr Lunani.
She said the land in Igambang’ombe, about 30 kilometres from the main campus in Chuka town, was donated by the community to the university and in 2017 the institution developed a master plan, whose implementation is ongoing.
“The 500 acres are used for large-scale livestock keeping, bee farming and agronomic activities for banana, avocado and mango plantations, which bring the university a huge income,” said Dr. Lunani.
On his part Mr. Motindi said the institution has already started developing the land by building a level four hospital on it which it plans to expand into a referral hospital in the near future.
He said they have also built a 15-million-litre capacity dam for irrigation and established a wild sanctuary and conservancy for training, research and ecotourism.
“The university fraternity is not opposed to development because it has accommodated Ndagani Primary, Ndagani Secondary Schools and Kenya Medical Training College, Chuka campus on its 50-acre main campus land.
The union is aware that the university council has communicated to the relevant government authorities objecting to the proposal to transfer the 100 acres to County government,” said Mr Motindi.
He noted that the county government has enough land for such development projects and insisted that the university fraternity would remain united in the effort to guard the land.
