- Construction of major infrastructure projects promised during the school’s 70th anniversary has now begun.
- A 1,000-bed dormitory and 2,000-capacity multipurpose hall are among projects being implemented at the school.
- Deputy Head of Public Service Amos Gathecha says six of eight presidential pledges are already fulfilled.
President William Ruto has fulfilled several promises he made to Thika High School in Thika Constituency to support its infrastructural and educational development during the institution’s 70th anniversary celebrations in May this year.
During the May 15 celebrations, the Head of State announced plans to support the construction of 35 classrooms, a 1,000-bed dormitory and a multipurpose hall with a capacity of 2,000 learners.
The President also pledged support for technology and talent development and praised the school’s plans to establish a Sports, Performing Arts and Digital Learning Centre focusing on coding, robotics and machine learning.
During the celebrations, Ruto commended the school board, parents and alumni for supporting previous expansion projects and challenged schools to prepare learners for a global economy increasingly driven by technology, problem-solving and artificial intelligence.
Thika High School, founded in 1956, is a national school serving close to 2,000 learners from across the country.
On Wednesday, some of the projects pledged by the President moved forward when Deputy Head of Public Service Amos Gathecha and Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a visited the school.
The two officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony for a modern multipurpose hall and a 1,000-bed-capacity dormitory. They also handed over new musical instruments to the institution.
Gathecha, whose position as Deputy Head of the Public Service is confirmed in government records, said six of the eight promises made by the President to the school had been delivered.
He said the remaining pledges, including laptops for the school’s digital learning centre, would also be fulfilled.
“The multipurpose hall that is being put up here has a capacity of 2,000 students and it’s one of the pledges by the President to the institution. The remaining ones will be fulfilled as well; the ICT minister will soon deliver the laptops,” Gathecha said.
He said the projects are being implemented to improve learners’ welfare and provide adequate resources and a conducive environment for academic and co-curricular activities.
“The government has initiated so many reforms in the education sector that are all geared towards elevating the country’s education system and ensuring that our institutions churn out competitive students. More programmes will be introduced to ensure that all Kenyan learners access quality education,” he said.
Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a said the area National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) would procure a modern school bus for the institution during the current financial year.
She added that more development projects, including additional classrooms, laboratory facilities and lavatories, are being undertaken in schools across the constituency to improve the learning environment.
The MP hailed the President’s support, saying it demonstrated the government’s commitment to improving access to quality education.
“I thank the President for keeping his promise and investing in the future of our children. When we invest in our schools, we invest in knowledge and the leaders of tomorrow,” she said.
Principal welcomes projects
Thika High School Chief Principal Julius Muraya thanked President Ruto for honouring the pledges, saying the projects would help create an enabling environment for learners and staff.
He said the developments had also motivated the school’s 456 KCSE candidates as they prepare for the national examinations.
Muraya also thanked the institution’s alumni for supporting the school over the years through infrastructure projects, mentorship and sponsorship of needy learners.
“Our alumni have been an important pillar for our school through projects, mentorship and sponsorships. They have facilitated fixing of cabros, construction of a dormitory unit, completion of the perimeter wall, mentorship to students and support for the less fortunate under the clarion call ‘No boy should be left behind’. We are grateful for their work,” Muraya said.
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Founded in 1956, Thika High School has developed into a national institution serving learners drawn from across Kenya and offering all three Competency-Based Education pathways.
By John Kamau
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