Moi University will from next week start the construction of a new campus in Gatundu South constituency at a cost of sh1.39 billion.
The new campus will be named after the wife of the first President of Kenya Mama Ngina and will admit the first batch of its 200 students next month.
The former First Lady has a number of roads and public insitutions already named after her. On Tuesday, residents of Chuka town in Tharaka Nithi County protested after two roads were named after President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto.
Speaking during a site visit to the proposed site, Moi University Vice Chancellor Richard Mibey said the campus will kick off with three programmes –Bachelors of Education, Business Management, Tourism and Hospitality studies.
“In September we shall take in about 200 students to begin with due to limited space and facilities but by next year around this time, structures will be in place and we shall take in 1000-2000 students,” said Mibey.
Moi University will use the buildings in the nearby towns to accommodate students and start the programmes.
Moi University VC Richard Mibey addressing stakeholders during a site visit to the proposed location of Mama Ngina University College in Mutomo, Gatundu South. PHOTO | MARY WAMBUI
The VC appealed to residents of Mutomo village to sell more land to the University to enable it achieve minimum acreage (50 acres) required to set up a university.
“Currently we have 10.3 acreas, we need about 40 extra acres to achieve the minimum required for a university. We are appealing to the residents of Mutomo village to avail more land for this project,” he added.
The VC refuted claims that Mutomo primary school will be relocated to pave way for the University.
“We see having the primary school as an advantage, our students studying Bachelors of Education will go there for teaching practice,” said Mibey.
Nicholas Mutua, the project manager from the Ministry of public works said the project will be done in stages to allow utility of completed sections by the learners but will be fully completed in two years.
“We are ready to start off the project, the contractor is on site we are only waiting for a formal handing over which could be in latest a week’s time. The project will cost around Sh 1.39 Billion for this site,” said Mutua.
-nairobinews.nation.co.ke
