Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has directed the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) to work on modalities that will ensure it partners with Vihiga county to ensuring roads adjacent to Kaimosi Friends University are tarmacked.
He said this should be done with speed to aid in the quick development of the institution.
Speaking during the university’s first graduation ceremony, Mudavadi also tasked Kenya Power and Lightening Company to ensure it stabilises power supply to the institution and its neighbourhood.
This, he said will avert rising cases of insecurity around the university.
“I look forward when this University will have a complete tarmacked road network, through KERRA and County Government. The Kenya Power and Lighting Company should also ensure consistent power supply to avoid rampant cases of insecurity affecting staff and students. These things are do-able and do not require a reminder from me,” Mudavadi said.
He called on residents of Kaimosi and neighboring towns to be ready to invest in key projects like building of hostels and other business premises to aid in the growth of the university and the region.
“As the University expands, there will be great need for accommodation for students and staff. As government, we will do all we can through Public Private Partnership (PPP) under affordable housing to get a solution to this problem… But the quickest way is for residents with pieces of land to spare to partner with KAFU under the PPP arrangement. As a person in that industry I assure you, you will not regret it.”
The Prime Cabinet Secretary urged the university’s management and local leadership led by Governor Wilber Otichilo as well as other elected leaders and the community to see to it that the institution acquires Vokoli Campus to host a School of Business and Economics, the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences at the Sabatia Eye Clinic and establishment of a School of Medicine.
“A growing University has also many teething problems and requires an understanding and supportive local leadership. The University Management has done its bit by acquiring the fully-fledged University status in less than five years; and in less than six months, it is holding its first graduation,” Mudavadi added.
“I encourage the County Government of Vihiga to work closely with this University to develop a teaching and referral hospital for the School of Medicine to thrive.”
A total of 402 students graduated with degrees in various fields of academic excellence from the university.
