MPs Press Govt to Reconstruct Damaged School Infrastructure
Members of Parliament have encouraged the government to prioritize the reconstruction of flood-damaged schools, roads, and bridges before students return for the second term.
Floods have hit at least 1,967 schools as heavy rains continue to fall across the country.
MPs said that flooding ruined classrooms, dorms, halls, washrooms, latrines, fences, and boundary walls, making several institutions uninhabitable.
They stated that families evacuated by flooding had sought shelter in schools, putting further strain on already limited resources.
Majimbo Kalasinga, a Kabuchai MP, underlined the need for the government to offer emergency funding to help constituencies rehabilitate damaged schools.
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He advocated for quick bathroom repairs, which are critical to students’ well-being.
Kalasinga emphasized the necessity for the government to allocate funds to constituencies for the reconstruction of toilets that have sunk in schools, aiming to prevent further disasters post-rains. He underscored that renovation wouldn’t suffice, stating the imperative to secure additional funds specifically for building toilets in schools to ensure the safety of learners.
The second-term legislator urged the government to rebuild bridges destroyed by floods to ensure the safety of students, particularly day scholars.
Kalasinga stated that at least four bridges had been destroyed, expressing concern that when schools reopened, there would be a significant challenge for students to cross to the other side.
While postponing school reopenings last week, President Ruto asked the Ministry of Education to work with the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) to provide funds for the repair and restoration of damaged school infrastructure.
However, Kalasinga emphasized the limits MPs confront when spending cash outside of the current year’s budget.
He stated that the president has assigned them the task of aiding in school reconstruction, noting that this directive coincides with the submission of projects for approval and the allocation of their funding. He emphasized that spending funds on projects not included in the current budget allocation is not permissible unless it’s for emergency purposes.
Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi has appealed for assistance in purchasing school supplies, such as textbooks, to prevent students from dropping out owing to a lack of study resources.
According to Elachi, there is a need to address sewer issues in schools because most toilets are filled with water. Elachi mentioned that water had submerged all learning materials, requiring a fresh start. She requested school bags, exercise books, pens, and rulers.
Malava MP Malulu Injendi said the recent rains had caused mayhem in schools and called for immediate action to guarantee smooth learning.
Injendi expressed that the ongoing rains are causing significant damage to schools and recommended conducting an assessment to assess the extent of damage, which would aid in the reconstruction process.
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He also mentioned that the government would devise a comprehensive roadmap for reopening schools based on the scale of damage, emphasizing the widespread impact of flooding across the country.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja confirmed his administration’s commitment to rebuilding bridges destroyed by floods so that children can attend school.
Sakaja stated that they are commencing the reconstruction of those bridges to ensure that children can attend school without facing any difficulties.
MPs Press Govt to Reconstruct Damaged School Infrastructure
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