Ruto pledges Ksh20M for Maasai Mara University campus in Emurua Dikirr
By Kiprono Keileb, March 6, 2026President William Ruto has promised government support for the establishment of a Maasai Mara University campus in Emurua Dikirr, a move he said will expand access to higher education for young people in the region and honour the late Emurua Dikirr Member of Parliament Johana Ng’eno, who was pushing for the same.
The president made the announcement on Friday, March 6, 2026, while speaking during the mass funeral service of the late Emurua Dikirr Member of Parliament Johana Ng’eno and other victims who died in a tragic helicopter crash on Saturday, February 28, 2026.
During the funeral attended by leaders, family members and hundreds of mourners, the president said the request for a university campus had been raised by residents and leaders led by Ng’eno who want students from the area to access higher education without travelling far.
In his statement, the president recalled that the community had previously asked, through the area MP, the national government to help establish a Maasai Mara University campus within the Emurua Dikirr constituency.
“Mliniuliza hapa tuwe na university campus ya Maasai Mara hapa Emurua Dikirr, nataka msikie, watu walikuja na wakaona mahali inaitwa Kapkoros na iko na shamba kidogo, University inataka shamba kubwa. Your leaders should look for a better land that the government will build,” the president said
The President explained that the initial land that had been identified in Kapkoros was too small to support a fully functioning university campus and related facilities. He therefore asked local leaders, led by Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu, to work together with the community to identify a larger and suitable piece of land where the government can construct the institution.
“Your leaders should look for a better land that the government will build. Narok Governor should talk to leaders, watafute shamba haraka ili tukamilishe mipango hayo,” Ruto said.
Ruto also committed financial support from the national government to help acquire the land needed for the project, saying the funds would allow leaders to move quickly once a suitable parcel is identified.
“Nitawapa shilingi milioni 20, sasa tafuta shamba tununue,” Ruto said.
He added that once the land is secured, the government will move ahead with plans to build the campus and student accommodation so that the institution can begin operating.
“Serikali itatoa shilingi 750,000,000 ya kuanzisha hio university na kujenga hostels ya watoto katika hio hostels,” the president added.
The President also set a timeline for local leaders to complete the land search and planning so the project can move forward without delays.
“Hio kazi ifanyike by July tuwe tumekamilisha mipango yote,” he stated.
The proposed campus will open new opportunities for students from Narok County and neighbouring regions seeking university education closer to their homes.