The construction of Bomet High School has become a subject of controversy after Members of Parliament (MPs) raised concerns over the disbursement of Ksh 50 million to a project that, according to official records, does not exist.
While reviewing infrastructure allocations in the education sector, lawmakers flagged Bomet High School as one of the projects that had received funding despite lacking the necessary documentation and physical presence.
The MPs pointed out that the school does not appear in the Ministry of Education’s registry, has no documented land allocation, no approved building plans and no established Board of Management, yet public funds have already been allocated for its construction.
This revelation has triggered demands for clarity on how the funds were approved, with questions being raised over possible lapses in the verification process. The MPs emphasized the need for all education infrastructure projects to undergo thorough scrutiny before receiving government funding, noting that cases of ghost schools receiving state resources undermine public trust and lead to misallocation of taxpayer money.
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Bomet High School has now emerged as a symbol of concern, with its status remaining unclear even after the funds have been released.
Amid these questions, Bomet Central MP Richard Kilel confirmed that Ksh 50 million was indeed disbursed, with Tenwek High School acting as the holding and implementing institution as laid by Public Finance Management (PFM) Act, for the construction of Bomet High School.
According to Kilel, the funding was a direct fulfillment of a pledge made by the President to the people of Bomet Central. He expressed his gratitude for the allocation, describing it as a significant milestone that will address the acute shortage of secondary school infrastructure in the constituency.
Kilel stated that the construction of Bomet High School is intended to reduce congestion in existing schools, which have been overstretched due to high enrolment numbers.
In his statement, Kilel said the President had honoured his promise by releasing the funds and assured residents that preparations for the commencement of construction were already underway. He positioned the project as a genuine development initiative, aimed at providing a much needed learning facility for the community and improving access to education in Bomet Central.
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However, the situation now presents two contrasting narratives. On one hand, MPs have flagged the project as irregular, citing the lack of documentation and physical evidence to support its existence. On the other hand, MP Kilel maintains that the project is legitimate and backed by a presidential directive, framing the disbursement as a crucial step towards fulfilling the community’s educational needs.
This discrepancy has left the status of Bomet High School in doubt, with the community caught between official audit findings and the assurances given by their elected representative.
For residents of Bomet Central, the establishment of a new secondary school is seen as a critical solution to the persistent problem of overcrowding in institutions such as Chebonei Girls, Singorwet Secondary School, and Tarakwa High School.
The promise of Bomet High School was welcomed as a long overdue development project that would expand access to education in the region.
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However, with the current confusion over the school’s existence and documentation, the community is now left waiting for clarity on whether the project will proceed or remain stalled in administrative uncertainty.
As it stands, the fate of Bomet High School remains unresolved. While parliamentary scrutiny highlights serious questions over its legitimacy, local leadership insists that the project is real and will benefit the people of Bomet Central. Until formal verification is provided, the school’s future hangs in the balance, with residents eager for a definitive answer on whether the promised development will be realized.
By Benedict Aoya
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