By Mumo Judah, June 22, 2026
The national government has officially launched the construction of Ol Kalou University in Nyandarua County, marking a major milestone in the region’s higher education expansion agenda and fulfilling a long-standing development commitment.
Lands and Public Works Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome presided over the groundbreaking ceremony held on Monday, June 22, 2026, at the former Salient Secondary School site in Captain Centre, Karau Ward. The project is expected to significantly boost access to university education in the region while also serving as a key development and political milestone ahead of upcoming local contests.
Wahome acknowledged the lengthy administrative and land-related challenges that had delayed the project’s progress, noting that coordination between national and county leadership had finally resolved documentation hurdles necessary for construction to begin.
“Because this project started fairly sometime back, the leadership of this county have gone to State House, have come to my office because of the land question… so that the Ministry of Education can put their documentation together, which they have now… the laying of the foundation will be done,” she said.
Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria, who also attended the ceremony, described the project as a demonstration of government delivery on long-standing promises, emphasizing its broader impact beyond physical infrastructure.
“What was once a promise is now taking shape, demonstrating the power of leadership that delivers tangible results. A university is more than infrastructure; it is an investment in knowledge, innovation, and the future of generations to come,” Kuria stated.
According to project details, the institution—operating under the Nyandarua University College framework as a constituent college of the University of Nairobi—will be developed on a 50-acre parcel of land and is expected to initially accommodate 600 students. Academic programs will focus on agriculture, business administration, and education, aligning with the county’s socio-economic profile.
The national government has allocated Sh350 million for the initial phase of construction, which includes foundational works and student hostels. An additional Sh1 billion has been earmarked for full operationalization of the campus, signaling a significant long-term investment in the region’s educational infrastructure.
The launch also carries political significance, coming at a time of heightened campaigning ahead of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election scheduled for July 16, 2026. The seat became vacant following the death of former MP David Kiaraho in March.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has cleared nine candidates for the race, setting the stage for a closely contested poll. The development project is widely viewed as part of broader efforts by political actors to consolidate influence in the region, with candidates from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), the Democratic Congress Party (DCP), and a unified opposition coalition all actively campaigning.
As construction begins, the Ol Kalou University project is expected to reshape the region’s education landscape while also intensifying political competition in Nyandarua County in the weeks leading to the vote.
