Sh500 million Marsabit university project moves closer to take-off

By Samuel Kosgei

Plans to establish a university college in Marsabit County have moved a step closer to implementation following talks between the county government and Egerton University on the institutional framework for the proposed campus.

Marsabit Deputy Governor Solomon Gubo on Tuesday chaired a meeting with a delegation from Egerton University to discuss the next phase of the project, which is expected to expand access to higher education in the county and the wider northern Kenya region.

The development comes after the Government allocated Sh500 million towards the construction and establishment of the proposed Marsabit University College, which will initially operate as a constituent college of Egerton University.

A key focus of the meeting was the administrative and institutional groundwork required to get the college operational. Egerton University is expected to play a mentorship role, providing technical and institutional guidance as the college is established and works towards eventual university status.

The proposed institution is expected to feature key facilities including student hostels, an administration block and tuition facilities, creating infrastructure necessary to support higher learning in the county.

The project is being viewed as an important step in widening opportunities for students from Marsabit and neighbouring counties, many of whom have traditionally had to travel long distances to access university education.

Representatives from the Marsabit County Government and Egerton University agreed to coordinate the next stages of the project as efforts to establish the institution gather momentum.