Alego Usengo Constituency Member of Parliament Sam Atandi has called out Siaya Governor James Orengo over a county project that is threatening the location of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST).
This follows concerns from members of the public, who questioned why the county had earmarked the Siaya Farmers Training Centre for the construction of the county headquarters.
The site in question, the Siaya Farmers Training Centre, has hosted JOOUST’s satellite campus for years, serving thousands of students from the region.
MP Atandi publicly criticised the county government’s decision to reclaim the land for administrative use.
According to the MP, the move threatens the university’s operations and undermines educational development in the area.
The MP revealed that his efforts to persuade the governor to donate the land permanently to the university have failed, leaving the school with no option but to vacate.
‘’Siaya County Govt has earmarked Siaya Farmers Training Centre (currently hosting) JOOUST campus for construction of a new county HQs. My efforts to convince Gov James Orengo to donate the land to the university have failed,’’ Atandi alleged.
‘’The university has no option but to exit,’’ the MP said, warning that relocation could jeopardise ongoing academic programmes and research tied to the campus.
County governors constructing headquarters offices has become the latest flex among governors. Barely two weeks ago, Homa Bay County constructed a multi-million-shilling headquarters, which was commissioned by President William Ruto.
Governor Wanga hailed the move, saying the headquarters serve as the primary hub for coordinating all county government services, establishing a strong connection between the national and county governments for concurrent services.
She alleged that the offices would enhance operational efficiency and ensure swift responses to the community's needs.
Months before that, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya had also commissioned his own headquarters offices, which cost Ksh500 million to build.
