Public Participation Backs Establishment of Nyandarua University College

A significant milestone in the expansion of higher education in Kenya was marked on July 21, 2025, when the people of Nyandarua County came together in a spirited public participation forum to support the establishment of Nyandarua University College, a constituent college of the University of Nairobi. The event was held in Ol Kalou and saw overwhelming consensus from residents and leaders to convert Salient High School into the new institution.

The forum was convened as per Article 10 and Article 232 of the Constitution of Kenya, which enshrine public participation as a foundational value of governance. It brought together a cross-section of Nyandarua County’s leadership and citizenry, reflecting strong local interest and ownership in the development.

Leading the local delegation was H.E. the Governor, Dr. Moses Badilisha, flanked by Senator John Methu, Ol Kalou MP Hon. Kiaraho Njuguna, the National Government represented by the Deputy County Commissioner, Mr. Michael Ololtuaa, Members of the County Assembly (MCAs), County Executive Committee Members (CECMs), members of the clergy, professional bodies and community members. All speakers underscored the critical need for a public university presence in Nyandarua to drive access to higher education and spur regional socio-economic development.

Representing the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi, Prof. Margaret Hutchinson, was the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. John Mande. He was accompanied by Mr. John Orindi, Director of Corporate Affairs, and Dr. Michael Wangai, Senior Quality Assurance Officer at the University of Nairobi.

In his remarks, Prof. Mande conveyed the University’s commitment to supporting equitable access to quality education across all regions of Kenya. “The proposed Nyandarua University College aligns with the University of Nairobi’s mission of transforming society through inclusive education and regional integration,” he said, noting that the Ol Kalou location will significantly benefit youth in Nyandarua and neighbouring counties.

Speaker after speaker at the forum reaffirmed their support for acquiring Salient High School, which sits on 50 acres, to host the university college. They cited the site’s readiness and strategic location within Ol Kalou. The unanimous endorsement is a crucial step toward the legal and institutional processes necessary to operationalize the college.

Governor Badilisha hailed the unity demonstrated by the community and leadership, noting that the university college will not only increase access to higher education but also create employment, stimulate innovation and attract investment into Nyandarua. “This is a transformative agenda for our county,” he emphasized.

The event underscored the power of participatory governance in shaping development. It sets the stage for further consultations between the University of Nairobi, the Ministry of Education, the Commission for University Education (CUE) and county authorities to formalize the establishment of the institution.

The successful public participation exercise in Ol Kalou serves as a textbook example of how constitutional values can be harnessed to advance education and development at the grassroots level.