Ainabkoi: 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, with its foundation stone laid on Friday, March 13, 2026, by Treasury PS Dr. Chris Kiptoo. Dr. Kiptoo was joined by CUK Deputy Vice Chancellor Dr. Isaac Nyabongo and local leaders including Deputy Governor Evans Kapkea, Ainabkoi MP Samuel Chepkonga, and Kesses MP CPA Julius Rutto. National Government Administrative Officers led by Deputy County Commissioner Mathew Baroni were also present at the event.
According to Kenya News Agency, PS Kiptoo highlighted the significance of establishing the institution in the area, marking it as the first cooperative institute offering cooperative studies after the upgrade of the previous one in Nairobi to national university status. He emphasized that the institution will serve Uasin Gishu and most of western Kenya. The CUK Institute of TVET - Ainabkoi Campus is specifically designed to support the cooperative and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise sectors, which are crucial to Kenya's economy. PS Kiptoo noted the substantial allocation of the national budget to the education sector, underlining the government's commitment to strengthening TVET institutions and promoting economic growth through private sector engagement.
During his speech, Prof. Isaac Nyamongo, on behalf of Vice Chancellor Prof. Kamau Ngamau, expressed gratitude to the Teldet community in Ainabkoi for donating land for the campus, demonstrating their belief in education's transformative power. He reiterated the importance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Kenya's development, with over 2,300 TVET institutions serving numerous trainees nationwide. The campus will provide Competency-Based Education and Training for various cooperative enterprises, including agricultural, marketing, housing, and transport cooperatives, as well as SACCOs and worker cooperatives.
Furthermore, learners will gain skills in ICT, digital financial systems, entrepreneurship, and emerging technologies, ensuring competitiveness in the digital economy. Prof. Ngamau stated that the campus will also focus on research, innovation, and community engagement, supporting cooperative societies, farmers, and enterprises in the North Rift region. He noted that the institution will contribute to the Government's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda by equipping youth with practical skills and strengthening cooperative enterprises.
Prof. Ngamau commended the Government for its investment in skills and human capital development, assuring continued partnership as the institution grows. Prof. Nyamongo added that the campus will host over 1,000 students for various diploma courses, with opportunities for seamless transition to university degrees at the Cooperative University of Kenya. He expressed pride in supporting the cooperative movement in the North Rift, providing resources needed to support local farmers. The campus is expected to be completed within one year.