Rumours swirling over the fate of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) Siaya campus have finally been confirmed: the institution is on its way out. An investigative probe by Siaya Today has unearthed that the university, long accused of failing to invest in the facility, is relinquishing its hold on the 80-acre parcel of land at the Farmers Training Centre (FTC) in Siaya town.
Beyond “renegotiations”: who owns FTC?
For weeks, County Education CECM Dr. Edgar Otumba sought to calm fears, dismissing closure talk as “mere renegotiations of occupancy terms.” But documents and insider testimonies reviewed by Siaya Today point to a more complex truth.
The FTC land is not under the County Government of Siaya (CGS) as many were led to believe. Rather, the Agricultural Training Centre (ATC) within FTC falls squarely under the Ministry of Agriculture — a national government property that was never devolved. This means the county is only a custodian, not the owner, of the 80 acres. The “renegotiations” narrative therefore stands on shaky ground.
JOOUST’s underwhelming stewardship
Since occupying a portion of the FTC, JOOUST has shown little capacity or appetite to develop the land. Years into the arrangement, large sections remain idle. Our investigations found that promises to invest in modern lecture halls, hostels, and research facilities never materialized, mirroring a national trend where cash-strapped universities struggle even to run existing infrastructure.
“JOOUST has overstayed its welcome,” remarked a senior agriculture official who requested anonymity. “They had a golden chance to transform FTC into a centre of excellence but failed to do so.”
Atandi’s double-speak
The debate took a political turn when Alego-Usonga MP Samuel Atandi stepped in, publicly defending the university and accusing Governor James Orengo of plotting its removal. But Siaya Today’s investigation shows that Atandi’s stance is not as straightforward as he portrays.
While it is true that Atandi is right in defending the importance of higher education in Siaya, he has been less than honest about his own role. Years ago, the national government had earmarked 50 acres of the FTC land for JOOUST. Yet, Atandi — now in his second term in Parliament — has not helped the institution secure a title deed for the land. Without legal ownership, JOOUST’s stay was always precarious.
Playing to the gallery
By claiming he petitioned Governor Orengo to spare JOOUST, Atandi is seen to be playing to the political gallery. The Governor has no legal authority over the land beyond custodial interest. What Orengo has publicly signaled is an intention to hive off 5 acres for the construction of modern County Headquarters, a move that falls within his developmental mandate.
But Atandi has twisted the narrative, painting Orengo as the villain pushing out JOOUST, thereby soiling the Governor’s intent. This political sleight of hand, sources say, is aimed at raising discontent with the Governor instead of addressing the matter where it truly belongs — the floor of the National Assembly, where Atandi could champion legislation or ministerial directives to secure JOOUST’s place.
Not the first exit in Siaya
JOOUST’s troubles are not unique. Siaya has seen this before. Odera Kang’o University in Yala, once a beacon of promise, collapsed for the same reason: inability to invest in and develop the land it occupied. In both cases, the community bore the brunt of shattered expectations.
Orengo’s bigger vision
Governor Orengo’s push to reclaim the FTC land is not without reason. His 9-point Nyalore manifesto emphasizes revitalizing agriculture, education, and modern governance infrastructure. Turning FTC into a state-of-the-art agricultural and veterinary institution would restore the land to its original mission — training farmers and strengthening food systems — while still reserving a portion for a modern County Headquarters.
“Why should land lie idle while students are crowded in underfunded lecture halls, and farmers lack training facilities?” asked one county executive.
Another resident questioned why the MP allowed such a costly experiment in Alego-Usonga?
By all accounts, JOOUST’s departure, though painful, opens the door for a more pragmatic use of the prime 80-acre site that aligns with both county and national development priorities.
Our investigations lay bare a stark reality: JOOUST is leaving not because of Governor Orengo’s actions, but because of years of underdevelopment and a lack of legal ownership of the land it occupied. The “renegotiations” narrative was a smoke screen. The land belongs to the national government, JOOUST never secured a title, and leaders like MP Samuel Atandi are now playing politics with the fallout.
For residents of Siaya, the bigger question remains: will the FTC finally be transformed into the modern agricultural and governance hub that has long been promised, or will this too go the way of so many dashed dreams?
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