Turkana County gets first ever university

Turkana County has for the first time in history benefited from a fully-fledged university after the Mount Kenya University opened its Lodwar campus for Science and Technology complex on Saturday.

This is Kenya’s first university since independence to be established in the vast, resource-rich area in Northern Kenya.

Speaking during the launch, Kristina Kenyatta, who was the chief guest, said that Turkana residents now had an opportunity to study and gain skills to develop the newly found resources of oil and water in their area.

Other guests included Turkana County Governor Josphat Nanok, Mount Kenya University Chairman Dr Simon Gicharu and the Vice Chancellor, Prof Stanley Waudo, among others.

On his part, the Mount Kenya University chairman Simon Gicharu announced a 25 per cent fees discount for students enrolling at the Lodwar campus.

Many of Turkana County government officials have already enrolled at the newly established university together with students from the neighboring South Sudan.

Mount Kenya University VC Prof Stanley Waudo said, “The campus hosts the university’s Institute of Petroleum Studies and Renewable Energy, and is a centre of excellence in training on matters related to energy.”

The university campus has been build at a total cost of Ksh200 million and has an ultra modern library, which is built in the model of a Turkana hut known as Akai.

Mount Kenya University Chairman Mr Gicharu intimated that it was difficult to build the campus as the only available raw material was sand and they had to bring other materials such as bricks from Nairobi, the bad infrastructure notwithstanding.

He added that their driving force in finishing the construction to provide a safe and stimulating environment in Turkana outweighed the many challenges they encountered.

By Jemimah Gathoni