Ruto Allocates Funds for New University in Emurua Dikirr
President William Ruto has pledged 1.2 billion shillings for the construction of a university in Emurua Dikirr that will honour the memory of the late Member of Parliament Johana Ngeno.
The announcement came during the official handover of Mamboleo Modern Market in the constituency. Residents had requested a higher learning institution in the area, and the Head of State confirmed that the government had set aside the necessary resources to make it a reality. The planned university is expected to serve students from Emurua Dikirr, the wider Narok region and other parts of the country.
Speaking to the gathering, Ruto made the commitment clear. “Today I have brought you Sh1.2 billion to build the university in Emurua Dikirr, which will be named after our brother Johana Ngeno. That university that I am going to build will help children from here in Emurua Dikirr, Narok and other parts of the country,” he said. The project builds on earlier local efforts that sought to establish a satellite campus of an existing university in memory of the late legislator, with the county government previously offering land for the initiative.
In addition to the university funding, the President announced 180 million shillings for the construction of hostels to support young people in the area. He also revealed plans for a major road upgrade that will replace an existing low-volume seal surface with a new international-class B road. The improved route is set to run from Salgaa through Chebole, Abosi and Shartuka, strengthening links between Emurua Dikirr and the broader regional network. Construction is scheduled to begin later this year, with an official launch expected in October.
Ruto framed the developments as practical steps to reduce poverty and create employment opportunities across Narok County. He urged residents to support the projects, noting that better education facilities, improved roads, electricity and markets would attract further investment and open new doors for the local community. The visit placed the constituency in the political spotlight following a recent tour by a former deputy president who has been mobilising support ahead of the next general election.
Johana Ngeno, the former Emurua Dikirr Member of Parliament, lost his life on February 28 in a helicopter crash in Nandi County. The aircraft went down in poor weather after striking trees and catching fire, claiming the lives of the legislator, five other passengers and the pilot. Naming the new university after him is intended as a lasting tribute to his service and a contribution to the educational future of the young people he represented.
