By Victorine Nekesa,
Communication and Media Student
Laikipia University
Located in the cool highlands of Laikipia overlooking the breathtaking Aberdare Ranges, Laikipia University is more than just a centre of academic excellence; it is a natural paradise. Unlike many universities enclosed in concrete jungles, Laikipia University boasts a serene, green environment with a cool, calm climate that makes learning refreshing and peaceful.
Located at over 2,300 metres above sea level, the air is fresh, mornings are misty, and the scenery is evergreen throughout the year. The cool climate is a blessing to comrades. It keeps the mind fresh, free from the dust and heat of lowland towns, making it ideal for reading, research, and reflection.
A HOME FOR WILDLIFE
What makes Laikipia University truly unique is that it co-exists with wildlife inside the institution. Inside the compound, students share their learning space with nature. The indigenous trees and thickets provide a habitat for various bird species and small wildlife.
The highlight for visitors and new students is the rare troop of black-and-white colobus monkeys—a rare and endangered breed known for its striking long white mantle and black body. These gentle, leaf-eating monkeys are not commonly found in many parts of Kenya, and their presence inside the university is a symbol of the institution's commitment to conservation.
"It is amazing. You can be on a lecture and find colobus monkeys jumping from tree to tree. It feels like learning inside a national park," said a first-year student. The monkeys, which are calm and non-aggressive, have become part of the university's identity and a major attraction for nature lovers and researchers.
A HIDDEN TOURISM GEM
With its good climate, green compound, clean environment, and wildlife, Laikipia University has great potential as an academic tourism destination in Laikipia County. Stakeholders say if well-marketed, the university can attract researchers, tourists, and nature enthusiasts, adding to Nyahururu's growing tourism circuit that includes Thomson Falls and Marmanet Forest.
The presence of Lake Chacha inside Laikipia University is a hidden gem that supports life beyond the classroom. The small man-made lake not only beautifies the institution but also promotes agriculture and fish farming around the university.
The writer is a communication and media student at Laikipia University who loves nature.
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