Former Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga has added his voice in castigating the county for its alleged plan to have the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology moved to pave way for administrative offices.
Leaders and residents have been opposed to the plan to reclaim land currently occupied by JOOUST in Siaya town for new county headquarters.
JOOUST operates a satellite campus in Siaya at the Farmers’ Institute, with its School of Agriculture based at the Siaya Agricultural Training Centre (ATC).
The county has reportedly earmarked part of the ATC land for administrative offices, sparking fears the campus could be relocated to the main university in Bondo.
Rasanga described the proposal as “ill-considered,” warning that moving the campus would cripple Siaya’s economy, which depends heavily on students.
“I built a spacious headquarters that can accommodate all county offices. For now, the governor should direct funds to development, not another headquarters,” he said.
The former county chief called for prioritising expanding higher education, including establishing a university in Yala and upgrading institutions into fully fledged universities.
Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi also faulted the plan, claiming 15 of the 50 acres at Siaya ATC had been set aside for new county offices, leaving only 25 for JOOUST.
He warned that more than 1,200 students risked relocation to Bondo.
“A university needs 50 acres, not 25. Hand over the entire land to JOOUST,” he said, while rallying residents to protest on September 11.
However, Siaya Township MCA Obiero Otare urged calm, noting that the university and county leaders had in May agreed to retain the campus in Siaya.
The county surrendered 35 acres to JOOUST and forwarded a Part Development Plan to the National Land Commission, he explained.
Despite the assurances, residents and business owners remain anxious, citing the students’ contribution to the town’s economy. Some landlords said students had issued notices to vacate by year’s end.
Prof Paul Achola, former chair of the taskforce that established the campus, warned against closure, revealing a request had been made to the Commission on University Education to convert the campus into an autonomous college.
He urged Orengo to consider alternative sites for county offices.
Former civic leaders, including ex-councillor Owino Tamre and former Mayor Julius Ochiam, echoed the concerns, saying closure would undermine the region’s academic, social and economic progress. They called on the governor to clarify the county’s position.
In response, the Siaya County Government dismissed claims of plans to eject JOOUST from ATC land.
County secretary Joseph Ogutu and Lands CEC Maurice McOrege said the reports were misleading and politically motivated.
They stressed that the county values JOOUST as a key partner in higher education and has no intention of frustrating it.
Ogutu said while the original MoU signed with JOOUST in 2019 had expired, a 16-member committee from both sides is working on its renewal.
He added that discussions are ongoing to relocate Siaya Prison to create more space for the university. He insisted no decision has been made to construct new county headquarters at the site.
