State wants court to lift orders stopping relocation of Moi Teachers College

The State has petitioned the High Court in Kabarnet to lift an order stopping the relocation of Moi Teachers College to Talai High School to pave the way for Kabarnet University College.

On August 22, 2025, Justice Reuben Nyakundi stopped relocation of students from Baringo to Talai High School, citing illegality, forceful relocation, and lack of public participation.

This was after four residents of Baringo sued the Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, the Commission for University, and the Attorney General against the relocation.

The petitioners wanted the court to suspend the implementation of a notice dated June 13, 2025 directing the relocation of students from Baringo Teachers Training College in Seretunin to Talai High School.

The CS claimed that the impugned conservatory orders were extremely punitive, amounting to injustice.

Ogamba claimed that the orders were obtained through misrepresentation, as the creation of the Kabarnet University College was to be located at Moi Teachers Training College.

“Kabarnet University College has been operational since about June 2025, and vide the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), it has admitted a total of 613 students who were expected to report on September 8, 2025,” the petitioners explained.

The petitioners claimed a comprehensive plan was in place for the relocation of Moi Teachers Training College and Talai High School, following the approval of 15 acres of land to establish Talai High School.

They alleged that upholding the conservatory orders issued on August 22, 2025 will have major consequences outweighing benefits and militate against acting in favour of the public, as they impede the best interest of the students and violate the right to education.

The petitioners argued that the conservatory order will continue to affect the university's operations, which has an approved semester and examination timetable guiding the calendar year 2025/2026.

“The urgency in this application has been exacerbated by the stalled preparations for Talai Secondary School students who were to be hosted in alternative schools from the beginning of the third term,” they alleged.

The university set-up genesis, the petitioners added, was prompted by the fact that Baringo County had no single university.

The county government, in a letter dated June 20 and August 20, 2024, requested the Education CS to aid in setting up a university.

The public participation process was held from February 26 to July 19, involving Baringo residents, the Boards of Management and Parents' Associations of Kabarnet High School, Moi Teachers and Talai High School.

Justice Rachel Ngetich certified urgent the application dated August 29, 2025, and ordered respondents to be served for a hearing on September 3.