The government is expanding education infrastructure at Alupe University in Busia County with the construction of a new eight-storey tuition block aimed at strengthening skills development and easing pressure on existing learning facilities.
Speaking during an inspection visit, Principal Secretary for Interior and National Administration Raymond Omollo said the project reflects the government’s continued investment in building Kenya’s knowledge base through improved higher education infrastructure.
Alupe University, which was established in 2015 as a campus of Moi University before being chartered as a fully fledged public university in 2022 by President William Ruto, has grown into a science-oriented institution with a student population of about 3,800.
The university currently hosts four schools: Health Sciences; Education and Social Sciences; Business, Economics and Human Resource Development; and Science, Technology and Engineering.
“The new tuition block, which is 37 per cent complete, is designed to accommodate rising student enrolment and improve the quality of teaching and learning spaces. Once completed, the facility is expected to host more than 2,000 students at any given time,” said PS Omollo.
According to project details, the ground floor will include two lecture halls, a cafeteria and ablution facilities, while the first floor will house offices for deans and general administration. Floors two to seven will comprise modern teaching and learning spaces served by two lifts, a main staircase and an accessibility ramp.
In addition to the tuition block, the university has completed a 1,500-seat amphitheatre, which is yet to be commissioned.
The project is also contributing to job creation in the region, with about 50 workers currently employed at the site. Employment is expected to rise to as many as 111 workers during peak construction phases.
Construction is scheduled for completion in June 2026. Once operational, the facility is expected to support programme expansion, enhance training capacity and stimulate economic activity within the university and the surrounding community.
Dr Omollo said the expansion would position Alupe University to play a bigger role in producing skilled graduates aligned with the country’s development priorities.