By Kariuki Wangeci
Laikipia County Government in partnership with the Ministry of Education, and Laikipia University,
are at the advanced stage of installing a University college in Nanyuki town whose proposed name in draft report is; Nanyuki University College of Manufacturing and Enterprise Development. Those who chaired: The draft report was presented to Laikipia County Government on 6th December 2021. Deputy Governor HE Deputy Governor John Mwaniki and Laikipia University Vice Chancellor Prof. Joseph Rotich chaired the meeting.
The proposed University College has its niche defined making it stand out. It will offer courses
ranging from Innovation and manufacturing, value addition, enterprise development, rangeland management, animal husbandry and feedlot, Education, among other skill-based courses. This development has been a culmination of a series of meetings that started in April 2018, when Governor Ndiritu Muriithi created a task force, whose mandate was to explore the viability of varsity in Nanyuki, its niche, location, and possible name. The task force after a series of meetings, settled on Laikipia University as suitable varsity to nurture the new college. A technical team
from Laikipia University was crafted to do an establishment proposal that will guide the baby college to realization.
The proposal is dubbed: Proposal for Establishment of Nanyuki University College of Manufacturing and Enterprise Development. Stakeholders have given their input, on improvements and corrections, to be accommodated in the final draft.
The proposed University college will be strategically situated on the outskirts of the town. Neighbouring Nyeri and Meru Counties, being a commercial hub, and a gateway to the northeastern region, the college will only flourish.
Progress: The proposal draft will be refined and later, it will be presented to the Ministry of Education for adoption, and when approved, Laikipia University will be the mentor of the constituent college.
Deputy Governor reiterated County Government’s commitment to having the University which he said: “will be a sustainable solution to Laikipia, Kenya, and East Africa’s region especially in business hand-holding skills, development and value addition.” Laikipia University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Joseph Rotich also promised his Varsity’s readiness to guide the now-to-be 74th University in Kenya, to a full-grown university, emphasizing.
Upon refinement of the draft proposal and input of the stakeholders incorporated, it will be tabled to Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Education, for approval. Then its installation will begin.
The leaders present during the proposal presentation were: Deputy Governor, HE John Mwaniki; Vice-Chancellor Laikipia University, Prof. Joseph K. Rotich, Deputy Speaker who is also Mukogondo East MCA, Hon. Daniel Nyausi; Chief Officer, Department of Education, James Mwangi; CEO, Laikipia County Development Authority, Jesse Mbuthi; and University’s technical team.