Kabarnet, Baringo County – April 27, 2026:
A new chapter in higher education unfolded in Baringo County as Defence Cabinet Secretary Hon. Soipan Tuya presided over the groundbreaking ceremony of Kabarnet University College, a constituent college of Moi University. The event, held at the planned main campus site in Kabarnet town, symbolized a major step toward expanding access to quality education and driving socio-economic transformation across the region.
The project, valued at Ksh 1 billion, is being implemented in collaboration between the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Education, and the Baringo County Government. It will be developed in phases, beginning with the construction of key academic facilities such as lecture halls, a state-of-the-art library, an auditorium, and an administration block. The first phase is expected to be completed within 12 to 18 months.
In her remarks, CS Tuya described the new institution as “a beacon of opportunity that will empower young people with the skills and knowledge to compete in a global landscape.” She highlighted the government’s commitment to decentralizing higher education and bridging regional disparities, noting that Kabarnet University College will make higher learning more accessible to students from Baringo and neighboring counties.
The ceremony brought together several dignitaries, including Principal Secretary for Higher Education Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, Defence PS Patrick Mariru, Gender CS Hon. Hannah Cheptumo, Baringo Governor H.E. Benjamin Cheboi, and Moi University Vice Chancellor Prof. Kiplagat Kotut. Local leaders lauded the project as the culmination of years of advocacy for a public university in the county.
Governor Cheboi expressed gratitude to the national government for fulfilling a long-held dream of the Baringo people. He emphasized that the university will not only serve as a center for learning and research but also as an anchor for local development—stimulating entrepreneurship, creating jobs, and fostering innovation.
The Defence Ministry reaffirmed its technical support in ensuring timely and quality construction, while Moi University pledged mentorship and academic guidance as Kabarnet University progresses toward full university status.
Following the ceremony, CS Tuya and the accompanying delegation toured other ongoing government projects in Baringo, including the Kabarnet Stadium, underscoring the government’s integrated approach to regional development.
As the first public university in the county, Kabarnet University College represents more than bricks and mortar—it symbolizes hope, progress, and empowerment for present and future generations of learners in the North Rift region.