In the last week of May 2025, the University of Eldoret’s TAGDev 2.0 team undertook a far-reaching and insightful needs assessment mission across several counties within the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) and parts of the North Rift Economic Bloc (NOREB). This activity, integral to the vision of the Transforming African Agricultural Universities to Meaningfully Contribute to Africa’s Growth and Development (TAGDev 2.0) initiative, sought to engage directly with communities, identify local challenges, and gather grassroots insights to inform inclusive development strategies.
The week-long journey took the teams to more than 15 locations, spanning Bungoma, Kakamega, Siaya, Nandi, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, and Elgeyo Marakwet counties. Each stop was marked by meaningful interactions with local residents, opinion leaders, youth, and administrators, discussions that revealed the deep connection between community well-being and the role of responsive, practical education.
In Bungoma County, the team visited Kibisi, Soisambu Mitua, Mihuu-Lugulu, and Muji in Webuye East, as well as the Kabuchai area, where a warm reception at Kiboochi Church opened space for dialogue on community development. Concerns raised ranged from access to modern farming knowledge to the lack of platforms for youth innovation. Moving into Kakamega County, stops at Mahiakalo, Shinyalu, and Mumias both East (Matungu) and West (Ekama Chief’s Camp) revealed urgent needs in the areas of agribusiness support, climate-smart farming practices, and women’s empowerment.
Siaya County offered an equally engaging experience. In Ugunja Townhall and Simero village in Rang’ala, the team was welcomed by the famously cheerful area Chief Barak Agoko, fondly known as the “Happy Chief.” Community members there voiced the importance of skills training and extension services for rural youth. In West Gem’s Wagai Resource Center and in Yala, the conversations gravitated toward digital inclusion and the role of educational institutions in tackling unemployment and food insecurity.
Venturing into the Rift Valley, the team visited Nandi Hills, Tinderet, Mossop, and Kapsabet Engwen in Nandi County. These engagements underscored the importance of strengthening farmer co-operatives, improving market access, and investing in agri-tech for smallholder farmers. In Nandi County, the team engaged with both Kabiyet and Lessos Dairy Farmers, gaining insights into the local livestock economy where cattle ownership is traditionally held by the men. Youth engagement was equally noteworthy particularly the Kibotach Youth Group in Kaptagat, known for their innovative spirit, and the enthusiastic residents of Kolong Ward, where many young men are actively involved in beekeeping. In Kinyoro Ward, the visit was
made memorable by a group of farmers who affectionately nicknamed one of our colleagues "Mekanika," a nod to his skilled hands and impressive mechanical expertise. In Trans Nzoia, community meetings in Nabiswa and Cherangany highlighted the gap between formal education and employment-readiness among rural youth. Similarly, in Turbo, Kesses, Kaptagat, and Ainabkoi, the team met with community groups eager to co-develop initiatives around land use planning, digital literacy, drone technology and entrepreneurship.
Throughout the week, what stood out was the community members’ readiness to partner with University of Eldoret to co-create solutions. Rather than passive recipients, they emerged as active agents offering perspectives, proposing collaborations, and identifying priorities that matter to them.
“This exercise has reminded us of the power of listening,” said Prof. Julius Ochuodho, the TAGDev 2.0 Coordinator at the University of Eldoret. “The insights we gathered across these diverse regions are going to directly inform our academic programmes, research direction, and outreach efforts. The future of higher education must be shaped by the real, lived experiences of the people we serve.”
The University of Eldoret's TAGDev 2.0 team now moves into the next phase of synthesizing the findings and incorporating them into ongoing and new initiatives across student mentorship, curriculum innovation, community engagement, and partnerships. This needs assessment marks the beginning of a deeper partnership between the university and the communities of Western Kenya and the North Rift, a partnership rooted in trust, shared vision, and the power of inclusive development.