AINABKOI, UASIN GISHU – In a landmark move destined to transform the educational landscape of the North Rift region, The Co-operative University of Kenya (CUK) officially broke ground for the CUK Institute of TVET – Ainabkoi Campus on Friday, March 13, 2025. The ceremony, held at the Teldet community site, marks the beginning of a specialized institution dedicated to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) with a unique focus on the cooperative and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sectors.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic, Cooperative Development, Research, and Innovation (ACDRI), Prof. Isaac Nyamongo, represented the Vice Chancellor at the historic event. In the Vice Chancellor’s address, Prof. Nyamongo highlighted that the project is the result of a strategic collaboration between the University and Hon. Samuel Chepkong’a, Member of Parliament for Ainabkoi Constituency. He appreciated Hon. Chepkong’a’s leadership in championing the initiative, which began with a visionary proposal to expand technical and cooperative education opportunities in the region.
The establishment of the campus was made possible by the extraordinary generosity of the Teldet community, who donated the land for the institution. In a moving tribute to this gesture, Prof. Nyamongo noted that the University has already begun honoring its commitment to the locals by sponsoring students for higher education. Among the beneficiaries is Kiprono Japhet Kemboi, a local youth currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology at the University’s Main Campus in Karen, Nairobi.
While Kenya boasts a robust network of over 2,300 TVET institutions, the Ainabkoi Campus distinguishes itself through a sector-specific mission. It is meticulously designed to be a hub for Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) tailored specifically to the needs of Agricultural and Marketing Cooperatives, SACCOs, Housing and Transport Cooperatives, and MSMEs. By integrating modern digital skills, such as ICT, digital financial systems, and entrepreneurship, the campus ensures that cooperative enterprises remain competitive within a rapidly evolving global economy.
The Chief Guest, Dr. Chris Kiptoo, Principal Secretary for the National Treasury, underscored the government’s commitment to the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). He emphasized that by equipping the youth with practical, market-ready skills, this new campus will serve as a catalyst for inclusive economic growth and a center for research and innovation for farmers and enterprises throughout the North Rift.
As Prof. Nyamongo concluded the Vice Chancellor’s remarks, he reminded the gathered stakeholders that when a community gives land for education, it is an enduring investment in the future of its children. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by officials from the Uasin Gishu County Government and university leadership, all of whom joined the local community in celebrating a future where education directly meets the practical demands of Kenya’s vibrant cooperative movement.
