Professor Judith Mbula Bahimuka has been appointed as the first Chancellor of the new University of Eldoret which was granted a Charter by President Kibaki two weeks ago.

Professor Elijah Biamah who has been Principal at the institution before it was upgraded will now be the acting Vice Chancellor of the university.

"We are happy to received the charter and we will now roll out all our expansion programmes and courses, said Professor Biamah yesterday.

Professor Kamar and Secretary to the Commission for Higher Education Professor David Some have been recognized for the role they played in the development of the new university.

Vice Chancellor of Moi University Professor Richard Mibei says they were pleased with the new decision to upgrade the institution.Eldoret town has attracted more than 30 universities and colleges which have opened up branches in the town making it a key education center in the region.

The Mt Kenya University is among the private universities which have rapidly expanded their operations in Eldoret within the last three years.

"Eldoret town is now a leading education center in the region and we have to put in place other facilities required to support the developments we are witnessing,"said Kamar who is running for the position of governor in Uasin Gishu County through an ODM ticket.

Biamah said they would work with local communities to implement new initiatives in both the agricultural and environment sectors.

The university has targeted to produce qualified manpower who will be able to provide the manpower required for the country to achieve objectives in the Vision 2030.