Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya has revealed that the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) will oversee the construction of Nyamira University, which is expected to be completed within the next 10 months.
Speaking during the ground-breaking ceremony of the university's construction, Tuya said that the military has partnered with Nyamira County and the Ministry of Education to ensure that the university is ready for opening by September 2026.
The university, which is located in Kiabonyoru, will be a constituent of the Kisii University for the first three years after its opening.
"The Ministry of Defence, through the Kenya Defence Forces, is proud to partner with the Ministry of Education and the County Government of Nyamira in providing technical expertise to ensure the project’s successful delivery within the planned timeline," Tuya stated.
"The transformative project marks a major milestone in expanding access to higher education and transforming Nyamira County and the wider Gusii region through knowledge, innovation, and opportunity," she added.
According to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, the ministry targets to enrol over 1000 students, as the first cohort, during the 2026 September intake.
Ogamba noted that the establishment of the institution will be fundamental in not only elevating higher institution learning in the county, but also catalysing the economic transformation of the region.
"In August last year, His Excellency President William Samoei Ruto announced that a new University College will be set up in Nyamira County," Ogaba stated
"The College will open doors to learning and catalyse socio-economic transformation and local growth through job creation, entrepreneurship, and community-based research," he added.
University in West Pokot
The announcement comes after West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin appointed a task force to oversee the establishment of a constituent university in the county.
The institution, which is set to become the first public university in the county, is expected to open Next year.
The task force, which will serve for the next 90 days, will be required to conduct feasibility studies as well as engage with key education stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education, to ensure a seamless establishment of the university.
According to the governor, the task force will determine the suitable sites and facilities that will be used to host the proposed university, in addition to developing a concept paper and proposal to guide affiliation and establishment of the university.
