The forum brought together Members of Parliament, parliamentary officials, University management, staff, students stakeholders, and members of the public to deliberate and share their views on six (6) Education Bills currently before Parliament.
Welcoming the Committee to the University, Alupe University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Peter L. Barasa, expressed appreciation to Parliament for choosing the University as a venue for the public participation exercise. He noted that the process was an important opportunity for stakeholders to contribute to legislation whose outcomes could have far-reaching implications for the education sector.
Prof. Barasa also acknowledged the Government’s support for Alupe University’s growth and development. He highlighted the allocation of approximately KSh 1.17 billion towards the construction of student hostels, the admission of approximately 2,000 government-sponsored students, and approval for the University to recruit additional academic and administrative staff.
The Vice Chancellor further appreciated the Government’s continued interest in Alupe University and noted President William Ruto’s support for the development of the young but rapidly growing institution which is the only public university in Busia County.
Prof. Barasa also highlighted the University’s commitment to maintaining high academic standards, noting that some of its programmes, including the Bachelor of Nursing and Bachelor of Education programmes, have competitive admission requirements and cut-off points.
Committee Chairperson Hon. Julius Melly, MP for Tinderet, said the public participation exercise was part of Parliament’s constitutional responsibility to provide members of the public with an opportunity to express their views on matters of public interest.
Representing Alupe University, the University Legal Officer, Advocate Egesa Wambura, presented the institution’s views on key provisions contained in the six Bills. Among the issues raised were institutional funding, student welfare and the need for a predictable and sustainable funding model for universities.
The engagement provided an important platform for Alupe University to articulate issues of institutional and sector-wide significance while allowing members of the University community to participate directly in the legislative process.
The Parliamentary delegation comprised members of the Departmental Committee on Education, including the Chairperson, Hon. Julius Melly; Hon. Prof. Phylis Bartoo; Hon. Mary Emase; Hon. Jerusha Momanyi; Hon. Peter Orero; and Hon. Joseph Makilap. Parliamentary Service Commission officials accompanying the Committee included legal officers, media personnel, Hansard staff, the Clerk’s office and the Sergeant-at-Arms.
Also present were Alupe University Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration, Finance, and Development), Prof. Mahero Toboso, and members of the teaching and non-teaching staff, students and student leaders.
The public participation forum underscored the importance of meaningful stakeholder engagement in shaping legislation and strengthening the policy and institutional frameworks that guide the development of Kenya’s education sector.
