The ongoing development of Koitaleel Samoei University College (KSUC) in Nandi County has received renewed attention following an inspection of construction works by members of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Education. The inspection comes at a significant stage for the institution, which is expanding its infrastructure as it prepares to operationalise its Nandi Hills Main Campus. 

The inspection was conducted on September 28, 2026, as the committee, led by its chairperson Julius Melly, visited the university's campuses at Nandi Hills and Mosoriot. The legislators were in Nandi County partly to participate in activities surrounding proposed education reform legislation, but also used the opportunity to assess the progress of the university's construction projects. 

Construction reaches about 75 per cent

According to Melly, construction works at the university were approximately 75 per cent complete during the inspection. He, however, indicated that the contractor was experiencing funding challenges that could affect the pace of completion.

The committee said it would engage relevant authorities to help address the financing challenges and facilitate completion of the project. The inspection therefore provided an opportunity for lawmakers to establish the status of the project on the ground and identify issues that could require government intervention. 

The latest assessment represents progress from an earlier inspection conducted by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba in March 2026. At that time, the project was reported to be approximately 40 per cent complete, with the government expressing confidence that construction would accelerate. 

The different progress assessments also demonstrate that construction has continued during the year, although financing and completion of the remaining works remain important issues.

Nandi Hills Main Campus

The Nandi Hills Main Campus is expected to become an important part of the university's future operations. The institution's management has recently intensified preparations for the operationalisation of the campus as construction moves closer to completion.

The university's official information indicates that its management has undertaken site visits to assess implementation, with the site engineer and contractor's project manager providing updates on the progress and outstanding works. 

The development is expected to provide additional space for teaching, administration and other university activities. Earlier reports indicated that the new facility would include important administrative and academic spaces, including offices, lecture halls and facilities intended to improve institutional operations. 

Government commitment to completing stalled projects

The Koitalel Samoei University project has also been cited as part of the government's efforts to revive stalled development projects in the education sector.

During his March inspection, Education CS Julius Ogamba said the university project had previously stalled before being revived. At the time, he reported that construction had reached about 40 per cent and said the government wanted the facility completed and equipped before students were moved into it. 

The current inspection by Parliament's Education Committee is therefore significant because it comes as the project approaches the final stages of construction. The committee's focus on funding challenges could help draw attention to the resources required to ensure that the remaining work is completed.

Expected benefits to students

The expansion of Koitalel Samoei University is expected to improve learning conditions for students while increasing the institution's capacity.

Earlier in the year, Education CS Ogamba said the university had approximately 4,500 students, with plans to increase the student population to about 6,000 once the main campus becomes fully operational. The Nandi Hills facility was also expected to accommodate approximately 1,500 students. 

The expansion could consequently reduce pressure on existing facilities and create room for the institution to introduce or expand academic programmes.

University officials have also linked the infrastructure development to improved academic delivery and institutional efficiency. The university has been expanding not only its physical infrastructure but also its academic programmes. 

Role of Mosoriot Campus

The inspection also covered the Mosoriot campus, which remains an important component of the institution.

Earlier plans indicated that different campuses could develop specialised functions. Reports from March stated that Mosoriot would focus on areas including education and commerce, while the Nandi Hills campus would host a broader range of programmes. 

The division of programmes and functions between campuses could help the institution manage its growing student population while making better use of available infrastructure.

Employment and economic opportunities

The university's expansion is also expected to have implications beyond education.

Speaking after the latest inspection, Julius Melly said the completed institution could create significant employment opportunities for people living in the surrounding communities. 

A university campus can support local economic activity through direct employment, construction work, accommodation, transport, food businesses, retail and other services. For Nandi Hills and surrounding areas, completion of the project could therefore contribute to increased economic activity.

Earlier, the Education CS similarly noted that completion of the campus would boost economic activities and create opportunities for residents of Nandi Hills and neighbouring areas. 

Possible university charter

Another important issue raised during the inspection was the institution's future status.

Melly indicated that once the necessary requirements are met, the institution could be considered for the award of a university charter. This is an important institutional milestone because chartering involves meeting the relevant regulatory and academic requirements for university status.

However, the possibility of receiving a charter should not be interpreted as an automatic outcome. The institution would have to meet the applicable requirements and undergo the relevant processes before such a status could be granted. 

Importance of quality infrastructure

The development of the university comes at a time when higher education institutions in Kenya are facing growing demand for university education.

Modern classrooms, lecture halls, administrative offices, laboratories, libraries and other facilities are important in supporting teaching, research and student services. KSUC's infrastructure expansion is therefore closely connected to its wider objective of strengthening its academic capacity.

The university's official website states that the institution is committed to quality education through teaching, research and creative works. Its current activities also include postgraduate research development and expansion of academic programmes. 

The infrastructure project is consequently not simply about putting up buildings. It is intended to provide the physical environment needed to support the institution's academic and administrative growth.

The remaining challenge

Despite the reported progress, financing remains one of the key challenges facing the project.

With construction estimated at about 75 per cent complete during the September 28 inspection, attention will now shift towards completing the remaining works, equipping the facilities and ensuring that the buildings are ready for use. Melly's comments about funding challenges indicate that the final stage could require additional financial support and coordination between relevant government agencies. 

The government had earlier indicated that students would only be moved into the new campus after the facility had been properly equipped. 

Looking ahead

The inspection has placed renewed focus on the future of Koitalel Samoei University College. With construction reported to have advanced significantly from earlier stages, the immediate priorities are completing the remaining works, resolving financing challenges, equipping the campus and preparing it for full operations.

The project also comes as the institution continues to develop its academic programmes and research capacity. Its official website recently reported preparations for operationalising the Nandi Hills Main Campus, while also highlighting other institutional developments, including a partnership with the National Olympic Committee of Kenya to establish an OlympAfrica Youth Centre at the Mosoriot Campus. 

The latest parliamentary inspection therefore provides an important update on a major education infrastructure project in Nandi County. If the remaining construction and financing issues are addressed, the expanded campus could provide additional space for students, strengthen the institution's academic operations and create economic opportunities in the surrounding community.

For now, the focus remains on completing the project to the required standards and ensuring that the facilities are adequately equipped before they are fully put into use. The inspection by the Education Committee has also highlighted Parliament's interest in monitoring the progress of the project and addressing challenges that could delay its completion.