The national government has started the process of relocating Homa Bay GK Prison to create space for the expansion of Tom Mboya University.
The correctional facility will be moved and the land used for building more structures for the University.
The prison occupies land measuring 27 acres which the institution intends to use for expansion.
The Tom Mboya University was started in 2016 after it assumed space and structures that belonged to Farmers Training Center in Homa Bay town.
During President William Ruto’s visit in January, leaders from Homa Bay presented a memorandum to the Head of State to have the correctional facility relocated, a request to which the President obliged.
Commissioner General of Kenya Prisons John Warioba together with a team from the Ministry of Interior and Coordination on Wednesday visited the area and assessed the facility.
Warioba said they are putting modalities to have the prison relocated from Homa Bay town.
“The delegation is conducting an assessment to ensure everything is in the right place before handover. Documentations like title deeds must be done smoothly,” Warioba said.
Speaking at the county government offices in Homa Bay town, Warioba who was accompanied by Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga and county commissioner Moses Lilan said they were working under the directive of President Ruto.
He said they are committed to ensuring that the land is handed over to the University for expansion.
“We’re focused on implementing the directive and optimistic that the whole process will be fruitful,” he said.
The expansion will enable the varsity to offer more courses and absorb more students.
The university conducted its first autonomous graduation ceremony in December last year. It was a constituent college of Maseno University.
Magwanga said the expansion of the university is important since it will enhance the growth of the institution and Homa Bay town.
“Its expansion will create more opportunities for our people besides offering more courses,” Magwanga said.
The relocation plans will be done in Suba, Ndhiwa or Rangwe subcounties.
The university acting Vice Chancellor Charles Ocholla said the number of students has increased since it became autonomous.
He said the increase in faculties has pushed them to require more resources.
“We currently have a population of 6,000 students and we project more people will join,” he said.
