A Kabarnet Court has issued conservatory orders blocking the Ministry of Education from moving the Moi Teachers College in Baringo County to Talai Secondary School.
The ministry had an intent to relocate the college to pave the way for the establishment of Kabarnet University, following the directive of President William Ruto.
The conservatory orders issued on Wednesday, August 6, follow a petition that seeks to block the relocation of the institution until the court has heard and determined the petition.
According to lawyers opposing the relocation, the order from the ministry to relocate the institution was unlawful since it was made without proper consultation with stakeholders.
Following the orders, the court has stated that it will review the matter on Monday, August 11.
In December 2024, President William Ruto had directed the Ministry of Education to speed up the process of establishing the university, thereby ending a 15-year wait.
After public participation last year, the Baringo County Secretary, Jacob Chepkwony, confirmed that the county residents had settled on Kabarnet town as the ideal location where the new university will be located.
“Initially, our leaders were in disagreement, but we have decided we don’t want a political process; that is why we have involved everybody, including professionals and experts, in the process,” Chepkwoby said last year.
Earlier this year, the Education Cabinet Secretary, Julius Ogamba, gazetted the university, making it the first university in the county.
The university is expected to make its first intake in September, where the first cohort will be hosted at the Moi Teachers Training College, where the university is currently being hosted, before transitioning to an independent institution.
Ogamba further stated that he will appoint the first principal of the university in an acting capacity for six months on the recommendation of the council of University.
“The CS for Education, in consultation with the Commission for University Education, makes the following Order: Kabarnet University College Order, 2025,” the notice stated.
