Matungulu East Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) Julius Munywoki has called on the Machakos County Government to establish an adult education center, commonly known as a Gumbaru school within his ward to support senior citizens and women who missed out on formal education.
Speaking during a bursary issuance event held in the ward, Munywoki noted that a significant number of elderly residents were struggling to engage meaningfully with younger generations due to a widening knowledge and communication gap.
“There is a real challenge in our community. Many of our senior citizens can no longer participate actively in chamas, community meetings, or even family conversations because they feel left out,” said Munywoki.
“They have confided to me that sometimes their kids would speak about them in their presence and they would not understand,” he added with a chuckle.
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He emphasized that opening a Gumbaru school would not only promote lifelong learning but also restore dignity and confidence among older citizens, enabling them to fully take part in community development activities.
“We are seeing cases where the elderly attend meetings but don’t understand what is being discussed. It’s disheartening when they sit quietly, unable to contribute,” he added.
He also highlighted the need to include women who dropped out of school due to early pregnancies in the program, saying the initiative would give them a second chance at formal education and improve their livelihoods.
“Many women in this ward had to drop out of school due to early pregnancies. A Gumbaru center would give them the opportunity to complete their education and empower themselves economically,” he said.
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He urged the County Department of Education and Vocational Training to prioritize the proposal, adding that the need for adult education was growing in rural and semi-urban areas.
“Education should not be confined to the young. Everyone deserves a chance to learn—whether they are 16 or 60,” Munywoki stated.
The MCA pledged to follow up on the matter with the relevant county offices and asked area residents to support the move by enrolling and encouraging others to attend once the school is set up.
During the event Munywoki distributed Ksh2,000,000 bursary cheques to needy students.
By Agnes Orang’o
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