DR. MICAH KIGEN CONDEMNS PETITION SEEKING TO BLOCK THE CREATION OF KERIO VALLEY UNIVERSITY
Dr. Kigen termed the opposition to the project driven by narrow interests as selfish, retrogressive, and injurious to the region’s collective progress.
DR. Micah Kigen .Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
Dr. Micah Kigen strongly criticized a petition filed by Mr. Chebii Jonah that is aimed at halting the establishment of the proposed Kerio Valley University at Tambach Teachers Training College. He termed the petition “misplaced and detrimental” while arguing that it undermined long-held dreams and development priorities of the people of Elgeyo Marakwet.
Dr. Kigen says the argument that there was insufficient public participation is unfounded. He maintained that people in the region have spent over 15 years lobbying for a university, consistently raising their voice through leaders, public forums, and community engagements. He said it’s misleading for anyone to claim now that the local community was left out of the process.
He warned that any attempts to frustrate the establishment of the university would have far-reaching consequences. Among the setbacks he highlighted include the loss of higher education opportunities for the local youth, slowing down of economic activity, and stalling of job creation in a county eager to progress. Dr. Kigen termed the opposition to the project driven by narrow interests as selfish, retrogressive, and injurious to the region’s collective progress.
To drive the point home, Dr. Kigen pointed to several counties that have made tremendous strides after embracing unity and supporting similar institutions. He cited Uasin Gishu, where the presence of the University of Eldoret and Moi University has contributed immensely to Eldoret’s growth into a vibrant urban centre. He referenced Baringo, where Kabarnet University is already government-funded and admitting learners. He also mentioned the steady rise of higher learning institutions such as Kisii University and Turkana University College, all of which were realised through cooperation among leaders and local communities. Nyamira County, too, has recently secured its own university, giving its youth new pathways for advancement.
Dr. Kigen decried that internal wrangles among Elgeyo Marakwet leaders have, time and again, overturned major development projects that would have propelled the county forward. He called on Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Governor Wisley Rotich to provide decisive leadership and stand firm in defense of the Kerio Valley University project. Beyond the leaders, he urged the Senator, Members of Parliament, Members of the County Assembly, elders, youth groups, and professionals to all come together to support the university. He noted that the county is richly endowed with natural and economic resources ranging from minerals, oil deposits, extensive forests, highly fertile farmlands, rich wildlife, and scenic escarpments with great potential for tourism. Dr. Kigen concluded that such resources could only be fully tapped if the county spoke with one voice and prioritized long-term development over individual interests.
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