Nairobi — In the twilight years of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta's presidency, a group of Bungoma leaders proposed that a teachers' training college should be built at Kibabii.

And for the 24 years that Mr Daniel Moi was the country's president, the proposal remained just that - a proposal.

Now, three decades later, Kibabii College in Western Province is set to take off at a cost of Sh1.74 billion.

It was originally planned as primary teachers training institution, but it will now be a middle-level college offering diploma courses.

The college, located five kilometres from Bungoma Town on the Bungoma-Kimilili road, is likely to be elevated to a constituent college of Masinde Muliro University College of Science and Technology.

It is being built on a 28.3-hectare plot bordering St Mary's Kibabii High School.

Three years ago, President Kibaki promised a gathering at Masinde Muliro Stadium that the Government would ensure a university campus was set up at Kibabii.

Since then (2004), parents have been waiting for that to happen with bated breath.

Signs that the institution will be a reality dawned on them last Friday when members of the Bungoma District Education Board chaired by district commissioner Osman Warfa decided that the first batch of 240 students be admitted next month.

A report tabled by district education officer Riungu Wanjau indicated that the Public Works ministry had allocated Sh600 million for phase one of the project whose tenders will be awarded next month. The work would start in October and end in April, 2010.

The second phase is expected to cost Sh1.14 billion, bringing to Sh1.74 billion the total cost of the project.

Under phase one, an administration block, classrooms, hostels, dining and multi-purpose halls, learning resource centre, senior staff houses, lecture theatre, music unit blocks and sports facilities would be built, said Mr Wanjau.

"The initial work scope plan was for a primary teachers' training college but this has now been amended for a diploma college modelled on the Kenya Science Teachers' Training College," the report said.

Architectural designs and plans have been approved by the Public Works ministry.

The project was earlier earmarked for funding from the African Development Fund and African Development Bank under an education scheme that involved similar colleges in Voi, Garissa and Kitui for Sh338 million but the plan hit the rocks after a contractor took off with Sh33 million from the Government in 1987.

Post principal

According to recommendations by a technical team from the Education ministry, which toured the area last week, the college will first be based at Family Life Training Centre in Tuuti.

Kanduyi Constituency Development Fund will refurbish existing physical facilities at Sh2 million.

Another DEB meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday. It is likely to finalise plans to post a principal to the college.

At the same time, permanent secretaries in the ministries of Gender, Sports and Social Services and Education are expected to speed up the transfer of the Family Life Training Centre to the college.

The meeting also resolved that the contractor who disappeared with Sh33 million advance payment be asked to refund the cash. A team from Directorate of Higher Education chaired by Mr Kariuki Muni was in Bungoma a week ago to check whether facilities at Family Life Training Centre can provide comfortable temporary housing for the 240 pioneer trainees next month.

"Our mission is to assess the viability of the facility to house trainees and report back to Education permanent secretary Karega Mutahi," Mr Muni said.

Kenyatta's death

At the new college's site adjacent to St Mary's Kibabii High School, stand two dilapidated structures put up as site offices but now serve as an Administration Police post.

Wasting away are remnants of two caterpillar tractors and assortment of metal bars left behind by the runaway contractor in 1987.

Kibabii would have been the second teacher training institution in the province after Eregi when it was first mooted by local leaders and approved by the Government in 1976.

Plans to build the institution were derailed with the death of President Kenyatta in 1978. His successor, Mr Moi approved the demand for a TTC and acquisition of 55 acres of land for it.

He raised Sh1.2 million to compensate those willing to surrender their land for the institution.

It has been in the tunnel since then.