Exploring research, partnership and innovation is the mission of Kibabii University. It is against this backdrop that the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Ipara Odeo paid courtesy call on the Governor of Turkana County, H.E. Hon. Josephat Nanok on Tuesday, 25th May, 2021.
The Vice Chancellor congratulated the Governor for the admirable competence, excellence and dedication in the service of the people of Turkana and the immense contribution to the political landscape in Kenya. He noted that it had been the wish of Kibabii University to collaborate with the County Government of Turkana on matters of higher education, research and community service.
Prof. Ipara further commended the Governor for the establishment of the bursary scheme which had enabled many to benefit from basic education to university level citing the establishment of institutions of higher learning in Turkana, improvement in infrastructure development particularly the road network as well as water supply and health services which are critical for the wellbeing of the people of Turkana County. He requested the intervention of the County Government of Turkana to offset fees arrears for the students previously studying at the Turkana Learning Centre. In creating peace and harmonious coexistence with neighboring communities, Prof. Ipara credited the Governor for the establishment of settlement schemes among warring communities as well as the actualizing of Tobong’u Lore Annual Cultural event in Ateker region which had put Turkana in the international arena.
On his part, Governor Nanok commended the University for the notable contribution in Turkana County during the short period it was there, through provision of higher education and creation of employment.
“Turkana County is endowed with natural resources; it is still very green in research and is a virgin territory for research and innovation. The County is geared towards collaboration and partnership with willing partners for mutual benefits,” he said.
The Governor challenged the University to venture into research as it informs policy formulation and implementation of projects that are service oriented to the Turkana people in addition to establishing programmes that empower the graduates to be employers and job creators to address the monster of unemployment since the job market was already overstretched.
He directed the County Ministry of Education to help Kibabii University to track down graduates who left the University with fees arrears amounting to Ksh. 38 million through bursary committees at Ward Level and work with the University officials to help solve the problem.
The Governor welcomed the University’s wish to re-establish a campus in Lodwar, subject to clearance by the Commission for University Education.
Deputy Governor Peter Lotethiro urged Kibabii University to consider constructing a real university if they wanted to return to Turkana and ensure establishment of relevant technical and hospitality courses.
Other officials present at the meeting were Education, Sports and Vocational Training Chief Officer Pauline Lokuruka, Turkana Central Sub-County Education Officer, David Omakada and Kibabii University Lecturer, Mr. Peter Wamalwa.
