President Uhuru Kenyatta is once again at loggerheads with Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i after he laid a foundation stone for the construction of a new university in Nandi Hills.
Earlier this week, the Head of State laid the foundation stone for Koitalel Samoei University College at the spot where Koitalel arap Samoei, the supreme chief of the Nandi was tricked and killed by the British.
CS Matiang'i had issued an order to stop the establishment of universities all over the country but despite this directive, the President went ahead to lay the groundwork in what was seen as a move to woo more voters from the region.
Members of the Council for University Education (CUE) were conspicuously absent during the event, perhaps an indicator that they were opposed to the idea.
According to reports, CUE had reservations because the land on which the institution will be constructed still has some disputes and required the transfer process to be finalised.
Part of the preparations also required the University of Nairobi to provide lecture rooms, several administrative functions and academic officers.
CUE also wanted a master plan for the proposed institution and how the land would be converted to suit its new purpose from Mosoriot Teachers College.
Sources at the Ministry hinted at differences between CUE and Jogoo House on accreditation of the proposed university.
This is the second time Kenyatta has gone contrary to a directive issued by Matiang'i as two months ago members of his campaign team were accused of using school-going children to drum up support for his re-election.
