A government plan to relocate Moi Teachers Training College (TTC) from Seretunin to Talai Secondary School in Baringo Central has sparked legal battles, protests and confusion, leaving both teacher trainees and secondary school students in limbo.
The move was meant to pave the way for Kabarnet University College, the first public university in the region, which is scheduled to admit more than 1,400 pioneer students on September 8, 2025.
But the transition has been marred by conflicting directives, court orders and logistical challenges, forcing many learners—including Form Four candidates at Talai Secondary—to remain at home while their peers continue with the school term.
The controversy began on June 13 when the government gazetted Kabarnet University College and listed it on the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) portal.
While construction begins at its permanent 50-acre site donated by Kabarnet Boys High School, the university was to be temporarily hosted at Moi TTC in Seretunin.
To create space, the Ministry of Education directed Moi TTC students be relocated to Talai Secondary School.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
During a visit on July 31, Education Cabinet Secretary Migos Ogamba announced Sh100 million had been allocated to renovate Talai’s facilities to host the trainees.
Talai Secondary students were to be moved to nearby schools of Kituro, Oinobmoi and Tabagon under a government-supported transition.
Local leaders welcomed the move as a milestone in expanding higher education in Baringo. But reality on the ground has proved messy.
Soon after the announcement, five petitioners went to court to block the relocation.
Represented by lawyer Edwin Yator Ruto, they argued the plan would displace more than 1,000 TTC students and staff, infringing on their constitutional right to education. They also cited inadequate infrastructure at Talai and lack of formal communication to trainees.
On August 22, Justice Patrick Otieno of the Kabarnet High Court issued a permanent conservatory order barring the Commission for University Education (CUE) from relocating Moi TTC students to Talai.
He ruled the process unlawful, lacking public participation and violating the rights of both TTC and Talai learners.
In the following week, the school administration sent parents conflicting instructions: first to prepare learners to return on August 27 then to stay away due to the court case, then again to return immediately and clear all fees.
“Before schools reopened, we were told to transfer our children to Kituro, Pemwai, Oinobmoi, and Tenges. Now we are told to bring them back, then not to, then to pay fees again. It is chaotic,” lamented parent Eric Koros.
“Our children, including Form Four candidates, are sitting at home as others continue with studies,” he said.
Adding a twist, a new petition has been filed to overturn the ruling. In her urgent application at the Kabarnet High Court, Ms Moureen Lagat seeks to strike out the conservatory orders, arguing the judgment was based on misrepresentation.
“The Kabarnet University College has already admitted 613 students set to report on September 8 with a full academic calendar. Blocking the relocation disrupts its operations and violates students’ right to education,” she said in her petition.
She added that 15 acres have already been set aside for Talai Secondary at a new location, and insisted due process, including public participation, had been followed.
“This case must be heard urgently. The conservatory orders are already causing serious harm to both secondary and university students,” Ms Lagat said.
The matter will be heard on September 3, 2025.
Meanwhile, parents and stakeholders are demanding clarity from the Ministry of Education.
“We support the university, but not at the expense of our children’s education. The Ministry must act now before the damage becomes irreversible,” said parent Daniel Chepsom.
