Scholars from Nyamira County want West Mugirango MP Stephen Mogaka to withdraw a case he filed against President William Ruto’s declaration of Nyamira University location.
Mogaka had moved to court to challenge President Ruto’s decree that the higher learning institution be set up at Kiabonyoru Mixed High School against the wishes of a section of West Mugirango residents that the college be established within Nyamira town.
Mogaka, through his lawyer Danstan Omari, said in a sworn affidavit that President Ruto never made the announcement at free will since he had made a contrary pronouncement, which he was forced to change after a public outcry.
In his argument, Mogaka said the site the president declared had already been earmarked for a constituent college of University of Eldoret and that Kisii University was obliged to babysit the new Nyamira University in Nyamira town.
The group that comprises university lecturers drawn from various colleges said the move by the MP to go to court to alter President Ruto’s decree was ill informed and that he was not justified in any way to challenge.
Addressing journalists in Nyamira town yesterday, the group’s interim chairman Dr Dennis Maendo and the Secretary Dr Peter King’oina blamed Mogaka for what they said was a deliberate intention to stall development plans of the county.
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“The start of Nyamira University has stalled in three occasions because of bad politics. This time round, we want to ensure that the institution picks and the county gets counted among those focussed on academic development in their own region,” Dr Maendo said.
Dr King’oina on his part said a report by the taskforce that was mandated to recommend a suitable location for the university had placed Kiabonyoru as the most viable considering its spaciousness.
“We are well informed that for a university to start, there must be enough land capital that is more than 50 acres. In Nyamira town, the land that was availed was only 14 acres. Why then can’t we forge ahead and pray that the institution grows to satisfy residents?” Dr King’oina asked.
Mogaka on his part said he was not opposed to the establishment of the university but his was to present interests of his constituency, which he said was rightfully supposed to host the new university.
“I haven’t stopped the start of the university. All I want is that Kiabonyoru hosts University of Eldoret while Nyamira town hosts the Nyamira State University,” Mogaka said.
By Ongondi Nyakundi
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