Top Garissa University officials met with Permanent Secretaries, legislators from Nothern Kenya amid expansion plans

NAIROBI—Senior State officials and political leaders from Northern Kenya held a meeting with the Council of Garissa University and its top management at a Nairobi hotel on Tuesday.

Convened by the university, the meeting was aimed at exploring strategies of promoting, enhancing and expanding university education in the North Eastern region.

“The meeting discussed ways in which the leadership of the region and the university could collaborate to expand university education to Wajir and Mandera counties through the development of facilities, infrastructure and resources,” a statement by the Garissa University said in part.

The leaders were briefed on key ongoing projects, including the New Tuition Block, Library Complex and the Administration Block, which were marked as priority for quick completion.

The need to develop academic programmes and courses that respond to the needs of the North Eastern region was emphasized with key programmes identified for development, including Health Sciences, Agriculture, Law and Engineering among others.

The leaderships pledged to support resource mobilization efforts from the County and National Governments, as well as local and global institutions.

The University was tasked with the development of a Master Plan that provides a conceptual layout to guide future growth and development of the Garissa University.

Members also deliberated the urgency of supporting struggling students with fees payment. The leaders pledged to support students from their constituencies to enrol at Garissa University.

UPDATE: Mandera South MP, Abdul Haro with students at the Garissa University.

"The 125 students are the largest single block of students from one constituency studying at Garissa University… the scholarship programme will definitely play a pivotal role in the lives of many… pic.twitter.com/wtRxDuQAEn

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The event marked the beginning of a multi-stakeholder engagement strategy aimed at finding holistic solutions for university education in North Eastern Kenya and beyond.

A sub-committee comprising not more than six members from the North Eastern Kenya Parliamentary Group would be constituted to spearhead this process.

“The Garissa University Council and Management appreciates the leadership’s commitment and has planned to engage with Governors and other relevant stakeholders to further support the university’s vision,” the University noted.

The Forum, which was held at The Maa Hotel & Suites, was attended by legistors such as Daadab MP Farah Maalim, Aden Keynan (Eldas), Mohamed Adow (Wajir South), Salah Yakub (Fafi), Udgon Siyad (Garissa Women Rep), Umulkher Kassim (Mandera Women Rep), Adan Yusuf (Mandera West), Abdul Haro (Mandera South), Aden Daud (Wajir East), Mohamed Abdikadir (Lagdera), Hussein Abdi Barre (Tarbaj) and Adow Kunow( Bura).

The unprecedented meeting was also attended by nominated legislators Maryan Sheikh Omar and Sulekha Hulbale.

Principal Secretaries who attended Ummulkheir Bashir (State Department of Culture, Heritage & Arts), Abdi Dubat (State Department for East African Community), Ismail Maalim Madey (State Department of Youth Affairs and Creative Economy)

Garissa University was represented by the chairperson of the Council, Dr. Margaret Mumbi Gikuhi, Mr. Hassan Duale (Rep. PS Education) Mr. Bonface Ngigi (Rep. PS National Treasury), Mr. Hassan Sheikh (Member of Council) and Dr. Billow Khalid (Member of Council). The University Management was led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ahmed Osman Warfa.

KAMUKUNJI MP @MPyusufhassan has castigated @Meta for curtailing the freedom of speech and the press following Facebook's censorship of Kulan Post over its coverage of Kenyans expressing solidarity with the Palestinians in the besieged Gaza strip.

"I am really sorry about this,"… pic.twitter.com/9WE9E7pIZN

— Kulan Post (@kulanpost) December 5, 2023