Governor Faces Backlash for Planning to Build County University

Governor Wisley Rotich received a report from the technical committee chair Prof.Thomas Cheruiyot on Monday, October 18, 2022
Governor Wisley Rotich receiving a report from the technical committee chair, Prof.Thomas Cheruiyot, on Monday, October 18, 2022
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Wisley Rotich

Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich came under fire on Tuesday, October 18 after he received a report from a committee formed to establish the viability of starting Kerio Valley University.

In the photos seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the governor is seen receiving a report from the technical committee chair Prof.Thomas Cheruiyot.

Rotich who previously served as deputy governor stated that he had given the team 30 days to file their findings before his administration takes action.

Governor Wisley Rotich chairing the 15-Member  committee that is overseeing the establishment of Kerio Valley University on Monday, October 18, 2022
Governor Wisley Rotich chairing the 15-Member committee that is overseeing the establishment of Kerio Valley University on Monday, October 18, 2022
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Wisley Rotich

However, the report rubbed a section of Kenyans the wrong way, with some telling the county chief that they don't need village universities since the institutions were financially struggling.

“We do not need more village universities. In fact, we need to amalgamate some of them. Most universities can barely finance their operations yet here some are advocating the creation of their own village university. Kenyan leaders need to be serious,” Kiprotoch Lang’at stated.

Another Kenyan also went after the governor for harbouring plans to set up the university for prestige and political reasons, only to create jobs for lecturers.

“What is the point?  We set up universities for prestige and political reasons and only to create jobs for lecturers. Universities take up national resources. Too many of them is a waste and a misallocation of resources,” Big Junior Stated.

Additionally, other users went on to advise the governor to prioritise setting up factories for tea, tissue and the Bakery for bread.

Elgeyo Marakwet County has two production factories in its breadth and length; Tea factory flax and tissue factory, and Kerio care, we don't even have a Bakery, Governor, this is the priority,” Elias Kimutai Stated.

Prof Cheruiyot handed in a detailed report on the evaluation of the 2016 technical inspection by the Commission of University Education.

The committee will also undertake public participation as required by law, and assess the readiness of Tambach Teachers Training College which will host the proposed Kerio University.

Currently, the basic requirements for the establishment of a new university are stipulated in the Universities Regulations, 2014 for instance if the university will offer programmes that are of national strategic importance.

Governor Wisley Rotich (left)  with a Member of the technical committee that is overseeing the establishment of Kerio Valley University on Monday, October 18, 2022
Governor Wisley Rotich (left) with a Member of the technical committee that is overseeing the establishment of Kerio Valley University on Monday, October 18, 2022
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Wisley Rotich









 

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