Education emerges as top beneficiary of Ruto's North Rift tour

Education emerged as a major beneficiary of President William Ruto's development tour of the North Rift, with the Head of State launching, inspecting and committing billions of shillings to learning institutions across Elgeyo-Marakwet, Nandi, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot and Baringo counties.

In Marakwet West Constituency, Elgeyo-Marakwet County, the President inspected the ongoing renovation of the Chebara Complex. The works cover 16 classrooms, three laboratories, a computer laboratory, an administration block and dormitories at Chebara Boys High School. They also include upgrading the multipurpose hall, laboratories and ablution blocks at Chebara Girls High School.

Ongoing renovation of Chebara Complex in Marakwet West Constituency, Elgeyo-Marakwet County

At Chebara Youth Polytechnic, the President said the government is renovating five workshops, classrooms and an administration block, alongside construction of a multipurpose hall and hostels for 340 students.

Other works include upgrades at Chebara Primary School, Kaptomut Primary School and Chebara AIC Chapel. The Sh700 million project is 65.4 per cent complete.

In Nandi County, the President expressed satisfaction with progress at Koitaleel Samoei University College in Nandi Hills, an institution he said he has followed keenly over the years because of its significance in expanding access to higher education in the region.

He noted that the administration block is now 90 per cent complete, while construction of laboratories, lecture theatres and a library has begun.

Construction progress at Koitaleel Samoei University College in Nandi Hills

While in Nandi Hills, President Ruto laid the foundation stone for two blocks of student hostels at the university college, in a commitment to providing modern learning facilities, decent accommodation and a conducive environment for academic excellence.

The President also committed to building 80 classrooms for Samoei Senior School, which was relocated to pave the way for the construction of the university.

In Trans Nzoia County, he laid the foundation stone for the Sh414 million Kitale National Polytechnic Student Village in Saboti Constituency under the Affordable Housing Programme. The hostels will accommodate 1,160 students and include study rooms, shops, food stalls, mini-marts and laundrettes.

In the same county, he handed over the Sh59 million tuition block at Kitale Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) in Saboti. The facility has 14 classrooms, a library and an ICT laboratory. He also committed Sh200 million to build student hostels at the institution, saying the government will continue investing in the training of healthcare professionals to advance universal healthcare.

The President further committed to building a new dining hall, 20 classrooms and four laboratories at St Joseph's Girls Senior School in Kitale. He also announced the construction of a Sh100 million block comprising 50 classrooms and six laboratories at St Joseph's Boys Senior School.

In West Pokot County, President Ruto laid the foundation stone for a 580-bed student hostel at Kapenguria KMTC, a Sh221 million investment under the Affordable Housing Programme. He said the government will also build 20 classrooms to expand the institution's capacity to train more healthcare professionals in support of Universal Health Coverage.

The President said reforms in the education system have strengthened the Competency-Based Education and Training system, and that the government will continue to streamline the sector so that every child has access to quality schooling and an equal opportunity to succeed.

In Baringo County, he laid the foundation stone for Kabarnet University College in Baringo Central Constituency, which will expand access to higher education.

He also inspected the construction of Kongasis Teachers Training College in Churo, Tiaty Constituency, and committed Sh250 million towards its completion, noting that the government will also build student hostels at the institution.

President Ruto urged parents, especially those in pastoralist regions, to take advantage of the Sh784 billion education budget this financial year to ensure their children go to school and pursue the opportunities it offers.

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