President William Ruto has pledged Ksh50 million to support the upgrading of Habaswein Boys High School in Wajir South into a national school, a move aimed at expanding access to quality education in the region.
The President made the announcement on Sunday, May 31, during the start of his development tour of Wajir County, where he outlined several projects targeting education, infrastructure, and economic development.
The pledge came after Wajir South Member of Parliament (MP) Mohammed Adow appealed to the President to facilitate the elevation of Habaswein Boys High School to national school status.
“We do not have a national school in Wajir South. If you could kindly facilitate the upgrading of Habaswein Boys into a national school, we would greatly appreciate it,” Adow said.
In response, President Ruto committed Ksh50 million to kick-start the institution’s transformation and directed that the school be upgraded to meet the standards required of a national school.
“As we prepare to make Habaswein Boys a national school, I will send Ksh50 million for the construction and modernization of the institution to the level required of a national school,” the President said.
The planned upgrade is expected to improve the school’s infrastructure, enhance learning resources, and create greater opportunities for students to excel both academically and in co-curricular activities. It is also seen as recognition of the institution’s growing academic achievements.
The President’s pledge comes amid ongoing discussions about disparities in access to quality public education in Kenya’s North Eastern region.
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Earlier this year, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua sparked debate after accusing leaders from northern Kenya of failing to prioritize investment in education despite receiving substantial allocations through devolution.
Gachagua cited figures indicating that since 2013, Wajir County has received Ksh99.6 billion, Marsabit Ksh76.83 billion, Garissa Ksh81.7 billion, and Mandera Ksh119 billion in devolved funds. He argued that some regions had developed stronger educational infrastructure despite receiving comparatively fewer resources.
He also questioned the fairness of student placements in national schools, claiming that some high-performing students from the Mt. Kenya region were overlooked in favour of candidates with lower scores from other areas.
However, his remarks attracted criticism from various leaders, including President Ruto, who accused him of promoting divisive politics in the education sector.
The President maintained that every Kenyan child has the right to access education anywhere in the country, regardless of ethnicity or region.
“By virtue of being Kenyan, every child is free to attend school in any part of the country, whether by choice or circumstance,” Ruto said.
The proposed elevation of Habaswein Boys High School to national status is expected to boost educational opportunities in Wajir South and strengthen efforts to improve access to quality education in Kenya’s historically underserved regions.
By Juma Ndigo
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