MOUNT Kenya University has set aside Sh500 million for construction of facilities at its Kitale campus, chairman Simon Gicharu has said. Gicharu said more than Sh300 million will be spent on putting up a five storey block of classrooms and offices to accommodate more students.

Gicharu spoke at Kitale Annex Campus yesterday during a tour of the Campus. "We have also set aside Sh100 million for the construction of a modern library which will be used by both the university and the locals" said Gicharu.

He said the construction of the library commences in May. Gicharu said the campus has a population of almost 1,500 students and that the university management wants to increase it to more than 5,000 in the next five years.

Gicharu urged parents and students in the area to support the projects by enrolling at the campus in large numbers. "The university has really invested a lot of money at the Kitale Campus and it will add no value to lives of the locals if they fail to use the advantage of the facilities" said Gicharu.

Gicharu said, plans are underway for the university to open campuses in Kisii, Narok, Garissa and Kisumu. He said the establishment of Mount Kenya Somali Campus is on top gear.

The Somali campus Gicharu said is being established to help the surrounding community acquire education and curb incidences of frequent clashes.

"If people are educated, war and clashes become a thing of the past and that is why we are to invest in our Somali Campus" he said.