The Mukuru Promotion Centre (MPC), a non-profit church organization, has written to the government to exempt Songa Mbele na Masomo Children Centre from the on-going demolitions in the slums.
Founded in 1985 by the Sisters of Mercy and manages nine learning institutions in Mukuru slums, the organization said that although the schools are located near riparian land, there is need to give them consideration as the 7,186 learners have nowhere to go.
Sr Mary Killeen in the letter revealed that the institution, together with two other primary schools; St Elizabeth in Lungalunga and St Bakhita Primary School next to Mukuru Kayaba, as well as St Michael’s Secondary, have been legally established.
“Initially when the centres and schools were started, the old maps show that the rover was over 10 metres away from the centre but with the land encroachment by Mukuru residents who have been putting up illegal housing and shanties on the river beds, the river changed its course aligning itself along our perimeter walls. All the institutions were constructed with legal permits from the relevant authorities and all the necessary requirements were adhered to,” the letter reads in part.
Sr Killen revealed that Songa Mbele Centre, which is home to 109 children with special needs such as cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus and attention deficit disorders, has been marked for demolition despite being legally registered as a Community Based Organization (CBO) with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection in 2009.
She said the institution, which is worthy Ksh48 million, is fairly new and was completed in 2022 through donations from the Kenyan Child Foundation of Ireland courtesy of the former Irish Ambassador to Kenya Fionnula Quinlan.
“In light of this, Mukuru Promotion Centre is humbly requesting for your support in appealing to the relevant authorities for Songa Mbele na Masomo Children Centre and our other educational institutions to be exempted from the on-going demolitions in Mukuru slum area,” the letter added.
President William Ruto earlier this month directed the Interior ministry to evict people living in riparian land, which are high-risk areas as they are prone to landslides or mudslides.
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