Ruto orders Homa Bay prison relocation for Tom Mboya University expansion
He noted that while the Lambwe Valley is known to have tsetse fly infestation, the choice of location is based on the availability of adequate space, not as a form of penalty.
President William Ruto has ordered the relocation of the Homa Bay GK Prison to a new site in Lambwe Valley, within Homa Bay County, to free up land for the expansion of Tom Mboya University.
The announcement was made during the Blue Economy Summit held in Homa Bay County on Friday.
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Speaking at the event, President Ruto directed the Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, to work closely with the Education Cabinet Secretary, Julius Ogamba, to ensure that the university receives additional land smoothly.
He noted that while the Lambwe Valley is known to have tsetse fly infestation, the choice of location is based on the availability of adequate space, not as a form of penalty.
"I have instructed the Ministry of Education and the Internal Security to work on making sure that extra land is given to Tom Mboya University, especially from the prison which is here," said President Ruto during his speech.
"I think we can take the prisoners to Lambwe Valley. Not because it is infested with tsetse flies but because there is adequate space there.”
The decision to move the prison to Lambwe Valley is part of efforts to make use of the vast, underutilised land available in the area.
The President also addressed concerns about the prison relocation, telling residents not to see the move as a punishment for the inmates.
In addition to expanding the university’s land, the government plans to boost student accommodation by constructing new hostels.
The first phase of this initiative involves building a hostel with a capacity of 2,300 beds.
This new facility is expected to be completed by next year, and the President promised to return to officially open it.
"We have now advertised to build hostels for students in this university. In the first phase, we are building a 2300-bed hostel which will be completed by next year, so I will come up here next year to commission the hostel," Ruto said.
President Ruto also unveiled plans to establish a blue economy complex at Tom Mboya University.
The complex is intended to engage university students in the preservation of Lake Victoria’s ecosystem.
To support this project, he has already instructed Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi to collaborate with other government agencies and to seek sponsors for its development.
The relocation of the prison and the new development projects come as part of the government’s broader strategy to improve education infrastructure in Homa Bay County and to involve young people in environmental conservation efforts around Lake Victoria.
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