Fifty-year-old Mwiba Primary School in Likuyani sub-county reopened its doors on Monday after a month of rehabilitation works catalyzed by warnings to shut down over health and safety concerns.
The school, located in Sinoko ward on the edge of Kakamega and Trans Nzoia counties, was adjudged last year by the public health office over ill health and sanitation levels and ordered to undertake emergency repairs or face closure.
With dilapidated and insufficient latrines, gaping fault lines on classroom walls, worn-out desks, shattered window panes and leaking roofs, pupils had to endure learning in the company of fleas, jiggers and rodents that scrambled for space in their classrooms.
Speaking during the reopening, the school’s alumni Chairman and Kakamega CEC for Public Service Godfrey Owori thanked Stones of Wealth (SoW), an international miner operating in Kakamega and Vihiga county, for funding the facelift.
“When we approached Stones of Wealth, they fully accepted our proposal even though they were stationed and operating in one of the neighbouring sub-counties,” he said.
The Managing Director of SoW, Ahmed Jama, revealed that the facelift cost Ksh2 million.
“You know mining and education seldom meet unless there are issues of child labour. But we came here to help this school because, for us, education comes first,” he said.
“Although Likuyani sub-county is not part of our operation area, it is the first beneficiary of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project,” he added.
The company also pledged to donate 100 lockers and chairs to Wafula Wabuge Boys Secondary School in Saisi, within the ward, upon a request by the school management.
By Douglas Dindi
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