University council members are on a mission to ensure the institution realises its vision and opening new opportunities for prosperity. They embarked on a learning mission to see, observe and inquire the best practices from excelling firms.

The team comprised of Council members: Ambassador Peter Ole Nkuraiya, CPA Dickson Malanga, Dr. Susan Chebet, Ms. Elizabeth Ayoo , Ms. Agnes Busienei and the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Peninah Aloo-Obudho. They were accompanied by Dr. Edward Kateiya, Director Public Relations, Marketing and Linkages (PRM&L), Mr. Jackson Ole Masago, Coordinator, Centre for Community outreach and Nickson Magak, PRM&l.

They visited three modern firms: One for potatoes production, another for avocadoes and Expression Flower Firm that adopts new techniques, mechanisation and sustainable agriculture for production to see what is being done, enhance opportunities for collaborations such as for internships and understand the market needs to tailor made University programmes to suit market demands.

Expression Flower Firm in Njoro offered an extensive learning experience. The firm grow flowers for export in 33 Hectares plot under tropical green houses and uses integrated approaches in production: water harvesting, automation production, pest control, watering, fertilizer production, human resource management, business financing and other aspects.

Flowers produced which is approximately 120 tonnes in a year are exported to Europe . Flower faming have its fare of challenges such as strict international standards, being perishable and need for timely transport. The team got first-hand experience of the requisite requirement: certification, levies, pollution control, safety and others.

The team’s final destination, was Baringo County for a courtesy call at the Governor of Baringo office, to lay beacons in 106 Hectares University land in Ilchamus, donate family solar lights for community service and meet the locals.

The Baringo County Deputy Governor Hon. Felix Kimaiyo welcomed the team and the two institutions discussed possible areas of collaborations: Student attachment and internships, joint development, identity programmes to suit the local and catapult Baringo development and growth. Areas identified for emphasis included agriculture more specifically animal husbandry, business and education courses. The two institutions agreed to work on an MOU to formalise engagements and act as a guiding framework.

In Ilchamus land, the local community led by the Ilchamus Council of elders, Chief of the area and three assistant chiefs, the locals and pupils, welcomed the University team in song and dance. Their joy was expressed through the energy exhibited.

The University affirmed its commitment to develop the piece of land. The locals promised their commitment and optimism to have “ the first University in. Baringo”.

Ambassador Peter Ole Nkuraiya and Vice-Chancellor, led the team in laying beacons at four corners of the University land accompanied by the local leaders and elders. 30 family solar lights were also donated to needy pupils and families identified from three primary schools.

It was evident that Ilchamus is not as backyard as portrayed, not an isolated and marginalised community that live in an island. The food, attire, way of life, songs and dances, interactions and the level of interactions and engagements demystified this notion. A visit to a fruit farm that neighbours the University land was a clear indication of limitless potential of the area blessed with fecund soil and a natural river flowing through.

What the community need is opportunity and the University is poised to be the light and open up the community for sustainability.