President Ruto Lays Foundation Stone for KSh279 Million Tuition Block at Garissa University

President William Ruto laid the foundation stone for a KSh279 million modern tuition block at Garissa University on February 11, 2026. The event took place during a visit to Garissa County, where the president also disbursed KSh63 million in NYOTA start-up capital to 2,520 young businesspeople and inspected the Garissa Township Affordable Housing Project.

The new tuition block forms part of ongoing investments in higher learning institutions to equip youth with skills for national progress. Ruto reaffirmed the government's commitment to strengthening universities, noting that expanded facilities address capacity constraints and improve access in northern Kenya. Garissa University, a public institution, serves students from arid and semi-arid counties where higher education options remain limited.

The president highlighted parallel funding for student accommodation, with KSh750 million allocated for college and university hostels at the institution. These hostels will accommodate more than 1,700 students, tackling a common barrier to retention and completion rates in remote areas.

The tuition block project involves construction of a multi-storey facility designed for modern teaching and learning. Such buildings typically include lecture theatres, laboratories, tutorial rooms and administrative spaces to support growing enrolment. Civil works will require reinforced concrete framing, blockwork or precast elements, roofing systems and mechanical services like ventilation and electrical installations suited to the hot, dry climate.

Garissa University's expansion aligns with national priorities to boost tertiary education in underserved regions. The institution has grown since its establishment as a constituent college, now offering degrees in education, arts, sciences and community development. Infrastructure upgrades aim to attract more students and faculty while improving quality of instruction.

The foundation-laying ceremony followed Ruto's earlier activities in the county, including the NYOTA disbursement at Garissa High School grounds. The president's remarks linked education investment to youth empowerment and regional development.

For the construction sector, the KSh279 million contract represents a mid-sized public building project. Tendering likely went through standard procurement processes under the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, with opportunities for local firms in earthworks, concrete supply and finishing trades. Similar university blocks elsewhere have taken 18-24 months to complete, depending on funding releases and site conditions.

No specific completion timeline or contractor details were released during the event. The project sits within the broader government push to enhance higher education facilities nationwide, including recent openings and groundbreakings in other counties.