Residents of Ainabkoi constituency in Uasin Gishu County have welcomed the establishment of the Cooperative University of Kenya (CUK) Institute of TVET – Ainabkoi campus.
The campus will be established at Kileges, Kaptagat Division. Its foundation stone was laid on Friday, March 13, 2026, by Treasury PS Dr. Chris Kiptoo.
He was accompanied by CUK Deputy Vice Chancellor Dr. Isaac Nyabongo and local leaders led by Deputy Governor Evans Kapkea, Ainabkoi MP Samuel Chepkonga and his Kesses Counterpart CPA Julius Rutto.
National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) led by Deputy County Commissioner Mathew Baroni also attended the event.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, PS Kiptoo praised the establishment of the institution in the area, noting it will be the first cooperative institute offering cooperative studies after the one that was in Nairobi was upgraded to national university status.
He noted that the institution will not only serve Uasin Gishu but also most of western Kenya, adding that due to its sector-specific uniqueness, the CUK Institute of TVET – Ainabkoi Campus is designed to support the cooperative and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise sectors, which are among the most important drivers of Kenya’s economy.
“We need to strengthen the cooperative movement and especially TVET institutions. Already based on our current budget, the education sector is taking a large chunk of the budget. Out of 4.3 trillion that is in the current budget, which is now revised and supplemented to 4.5 trillion, a huge chunk of it, 28 per cent, is now being allocated to the Ministry of Education, which is around 760 billion. It’s growing every day because the population of Kenya is increasing,” said PS Kiptoo.
He revealed that the government is working very hard to make sure that it grows the economy and promotes the private sector to create more job opportunities for graduates and to absorb the many young people that are coming into the job market.
In his speech as delivered by the DVC Academics, Cooperative Development, Research and Innovation, Prof. Isaac Nyamongo, Prof. Kamau Ngamau – Vice Chancellor CUK – appreciated the members of the Teldet community in Ainabkoi, who generously set aside land for the establishment of the campus, noting, “This remarkable gesture demonstrates the community’s strong belief in the power of education and skills development to transform lives and communities.”
He acknowledged the critical role played by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Kenya’s development, with over 2,300 TVET institutions serving hundreds of thousands of trainees across the country as the Government continues to expand opportunities for skills development.
He affirmed that the University, through this campus, will deliver Competency-Based Education and Training programmes that support cooperative enterprises, including agricultural and marketing cooperatives, SACCOs, housing cooperatives, transport cooperatives, and worker cooperatives.
In addition, learners will acquire modern enabling skills in ICT, digital financial systems, entrepreneurship, and emerging technologies, ensuring that cooperative enterprises and MSMEs remain competitive in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
Prof. Ngamau noted that, beyond training, the campus will also serve as a centre for research, innovation, and community engagement, supporting cooperative societies, farmers, and enterprises across the North Rift region.
“This institution will contribute directly to the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda by equipping young people with practical skills, strengthening cooperative enterprises, and supporting inclusive economic growth,” noted the VC.
He commended the Government for its commitment to investing in skills and human capital development as he assured it of the continued partnership as the institution grows.
“Together, we are not just breaking ground for buildings — we are laying the foundation for opportunity, skills, and transformation for generations to come,” added Prof. Ngamau
On his part, Prof. Nyamongo highlighted that the campus once up and running, will host 1000 plus students to take various diploma courses and those who qualify will be offered a seamless transition to university degrees at the Cooperative University of Kenya.
“So we are proud to be here to support the cooperative movement, particularly in this region, in the North Rift, where there are vibrant cooperatives. And it’s our hope that through this institute, we’ll be able to provide the resources that are needed to support farmers in this region,” he noted. The campus is expected to be completed within one year.
By Ekuwam Sylvester
