Nyamira University to admit pioneer students next year with works near completion

Kisii University VC Prof. Nathan Ogechi during an inspection tour of the proposed Nyamira University /ANGWENYI GICHANA

The construction of the proposed Nyamira University is taking shape, with works expected to be complete by February next year.

The institution is expected to admit pioneer students next year once legal and administrative processes are complete, Kisii University Vice-Chancellor Nathan Ogechi said.

“There has been significant progress since the groundbreaking ceremony last year by President William Ruto. We expect structural works of most of the facilities to be completed by December and the final finish by February,” Ogechi said.

Ogechi spoke at the construction site at Kibonyoru in North Mugirango constituency.

The project is being overseen by the Ministry of Defence and will comprise more than 16 blocks, including classrooms, offices and other facilities.

He said the university has also benefited from supporting infrastructure, including a borehole, adding that the groundbreaking ceremony for a library will be done next week.

Ogechi said preparations are also underway for the institution to be gazetted, paving the way for students to apply for admission in next year’s intake.

The institution will initially operate under Kisii University before transitioning into an independent chartered university within three years.

“We are working towards having the institution gazetted so that students can begin applying for admission. In three years, it will transition into Nyamira University once it’s given a charter.”

Several academic programmes have already been proposed for the institution as preparations for the first intake continue.

The proposed programmes will be under the school of business, school of information and communication technology, and agriculture and natural resources. Additional programmes will be introduced later.

Ogechi said the university senate had also proposed that relevant curricula be transferred from Kisii University and used to facilitate the commencement of academic programmes once the necessary approvals and preparations are completed.

He hailed the national government for its support towards the establishment of the institution, saying the ongoing construction was a demonstration of the government's commitment to expanding access to university education.