Ruto pledges establishment of Wajir University to boost higher education in the region
By Sharon Atieno, June 1, 2026President William Ruto has promised the people of Wajir that the government will establish a new university in the county as part of efforts to expand access to higher education and promote equitable development across the country.
Speaking during Madaraka Day celebrations in Wajir on Monday, June 1, 2026, the president said the government will fully support the construction of Wajir University, calling on residents to participate in the process by identifying suitable land for the project.
“Serikali ya Kenya tutawapatia pesa ya kujenga University ya Wajir, and that program is going to begin this year,” Ruto said.
He added that the success of the project will depend on collaboration between the national government and local leadership.
“Nyinyi kama watu wa Wajir mtanisaidia kuamua na mutenge ardhi ambayo inatosha kujenga university itakayo saidia kuendesha katika maendeleo ya sehemu ya Northern Kenya na Jamhuri ya Kenya kwa ujumla,” he stated.
The Head of State said the planned institution is part of a broader government agenda aimed at strengthening education infrastructure in historically marginalised regions.
Push for equal access to education
Ruto noted that expanding universities and training institutions is key to bridging regional inequalities and creating opportunities for young people in Northern Kenya.
He said the government is committed to ensuring that no region is left behind in access to higher education and skills development.
The President further emphasised that education remains central to Kenya’s transformation agenda, noting that investment in learning institutions is directly linked to economic growth and national development.
Education sector expansion
Ruto’s remarks come at a time when Parliament is reviewing the 2026/27 education budget, which has highlighted both expansion efforts and persistent funding gaps in the sector.
The State Department for Higher Education is set to receive Ksh164.1 billion, even as lawmakers continue to raise concerns over scholarship allocations and resource distribution in universities.
At the same time, the government has increased support for technical and vocational education, with TVET capitation rising significantly to strengthen skills training across the country.
The project is expected to boost local development, create employment opportunities, and strengthen the county’s role in Kenya’s education landscape, especially under the Competency-Based Education framework.