By Andanje Wakhungu
Friends Lwandeti DEB secondary school in Lugari constituency has been awarded Ksh.14 Million for upgrades. In an extraordinary demonstration of political acumen, area MP Nabii Nabwera in the company of several members of the county assembly MPs, two Senators, a Women Rep, a Deputy Governor, a Governor and two CSs and the Speaker of the National Assembly who convened at the school to raise an astonishing sum of 14.8m, way above what the target of Ksh.4.5m.
The funds were realized through a successful funds drive organized by the MP and the school Principal Edwin Ariya. During the event, the guest of honour Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula called on the political class to assist in the running of schools as education was key in the upbringing of a sober generation. Wetangula urged leaders to be at the forefront in matters concerning education and stated that the Kenya Kwanza government was taking education seriously through allocations of funds towards the course.
Let us do politics of development and not division and on such important matters like education, we need to come together and support our school managers as they are the ones endowed with the caring of our children at school. “We are in government and its fruits should be felt at the grass root level and despite feeling the pain of the people, nothing lasts forever, we shall overcome”.
He defended the government against the late remittance of capitation funds to schools as there was no money in the treasury when they took over the government. The Cabinet Secretary of Health Susan Nakhumicha confirmed that indeed education was power and vowed to support education matters as it was the only equalizer in today’s life. The Kakamega county women Rep Elsie Muhanda called on the parents to invest more in the girl child education the way they do to the boys as an education for girls was useful to the whole society and nation as a whole and she challenged the girls to take education seriously and compete favourably with the boys in career choices. She stated that she will continue to support the early mother’s education by taking them back to school after delivery as well as support disadvantaged ones through the provision of school fees among other necessities. She is on record of supporting school programmes with the latest being her donations of toiletries among other personal effects to Kivaywa boys after a fire razed one of the dormitories affecting around 200 students.
Kakamega governor Fernandes Barasa who was the assistant chief guest during the ceremony reiterated his commitment to working together with members of parliament to further education, a core pillar in his six-point agenda for the people. Nabii Nabwera stated that education was part of his agenda in the constituency and that he will ensure that most of the schools within his constituency meet the required standards to enable learning.
The Principal Edwin Ariya, expressed his joy after the funds drive and assured the leaders that the funds will be put to good use noting that the school was in dire need of a facelift. He hailed the coming together of the leaders despite their political affiliations to assist the school, pointing out that it was a good gesture that should be emulated by others.
“Today I have no words to say as what has transpired here is beyond my expectation and I’m glad to thank all these leaders who have come together in solidarity to ensure that our children can get education, this shows how serious our government is mindful of education matters and this donation will impact positively on our performance and with the coming facelift I’m sure our academic will also improve to reflect the good image of the school.”
He called on the leaders to continue supporting education matters, especially during these hard times when the economic crunch had led to the high prices of commodities.
The event also brought together other leaders from the Western region, notably Health CS Dr. Susan Nakhumicha, Kakamega County DG Ayub Savula, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, Roots party leader Prof. George Wajackoyah, MPs, Benard Shinali (Ikolomani), Didmus Barasa(Kanduyi), Major John Waluke (Sirisia), Kakai Bisau (Kiminini), Innocent Mugabe,(Likuyani), MCAS and other leaders.
