- The KEPSA CEO rejected a proposal to excise part of Kinoru Primary School’s land for government offices, insisting school property must remain for educational use.
- A County Education Director called a forum to deliberate on the land transfer, sparking debate over whether describing the land as “unused” ignores future expansion needs
- Kariuki urged adherence to proper procedures, recalling past attempts to use school land for non‑educational purposes, while residents demanded accountability and protection of school property
Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) Chief Executive Officer Carole Kariuki has come out against a proposal to allocate part of Kinoru Primary School’s land in Meru County for the construction of a Municipality Division Headquarters, arguing that school land should not be set aside for non-educational purposes.
The proposal is the subject of a public participation forum called by the County Director of Education, Meru County, through a letter dated July 7, 2026. The forum, scheduled for July 15, 2026, at Kinoru Youth Resource Centre from 10:00 a.m., is intended to deliberate on allocating a portion of Kinoru Primary School’s land, described in the invitation as currently unused, to the Ministry of Interior for the construction of the headquarters.
Those invited to the forum include the Deputy County Commissioner for Imenti North, the Meru County Physical Planner, National Land Commission representative Mr. Wasua, the Managing Director of the Meru Water and Sewerage Services (MEWASS), the Kenya Power Business Manager, the Boards of Management chairpersons and headteachers of Kinoru Primary School and Kinoru Day Secondary School, the North Imenti Member of Parliament, the chairperson of the Kiringa Clan and the chairperson of the Kinoru Makutano Self-Help Group.
Kariuki questioned the rationale behind convening public participation on the excision, arguing that describing the land as currently unused ignores the school’s future expansion needs.
“Unbelievable that the said official has the audacity of calling a public participation to excise Kinoru Primary School land for construction of headquarters. What is even more disappointing is the mere mention of school land not in use. That may be so now, but what about tomorrow?” she said.
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She proposed that the land instead be reserved for future educational facilities such as a swimming pool, a fully equipped sports complex or a running track that would directly benefit learners.
Kariuki further insisted that any development involving school property must follow the proper legal process, recalling a previous attempt by the area’s Member of Parliament to construct a police post within the school compound. She said that initiative was opposed at the time and allegedly resulted in the transfer of the school’s headteacher.
In a statement posted on her official social media page, Kariuki urged the area MP to first complete the construction of the Imenti East Sub-County offices before seeking alternative land for the proposed Municipality Division Headquarters.
“Please, Mr MP, finish the construction of the Imenti East Sub-County to the status it deserves. Then look for public land away from the school to construct the headquarters you wish to establish,” she said.
The proposal has since generated public debate, with some residents of Imenti calling for greater transparency, meaningful public participation and the protection of school land for present and future educational development.
By Jonathan Mwinzi
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