By Fredrick Odiero
An informal settlement in Kisumu Central Constituency is set to receive a major boost academically following the construction of a Shs 100 million secondary school by the national government.
Speaking at the construction site in Manyatta, area Member of Parliament Fred Outa said the project by the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NGCDF) is 50 % complete and is expected to be complete in 2023.
Ouda said Kosawo Mixed Secondary, a three storey building consisting of 12 classrooms, is being constructed on an acre of land in Kondele ward due to the region being a huge catchment area.
‘The new ultra-modern classrooms at Kosawo Primary School will help to decongest the existing classrooms,’ he said.
The MP underscored his commitment to ensure that no needy student drops out of school due to school fees issues.
“I want education to be one of my legacies. My focus is also on security and infrastructure. Some 13,000 needy students have benefited from bursaries since 2017. Another 200,000 have received scholarships,” said the MP.
Late last year, he distributed bursaries worth Shs 22 million to some 4,200 needy students in his constituency.
He revealed that Kisumu Central NGCDF has in the recent days disbursed Shs 22 million in terms of bursary to over 4,000 needy students from both secondary schools and colleges in the constituency.
He urged the students to work hard to excel in their studies.
He revealed that he was also a beneficiary of bursary from a well-wisher.
Ouda said he will continue to supplement secondary education through his own scholarship and the government funded bursary through CDF.
He revealed that he pays school fees for 96 students from his own pocket and that he will try to ensure that needy students from the constituency get support from the constituency’s bursary kitty.
Ouda said he intends to increase the bursary allocation to students who will benefit from the kitty.
He added that they are changing the story of education in Kisumu Central.
Among schools that have been rehabilitated, expanded or beautified through the MP’s initiative are Nanga and Kudho, Arina, Kaloleni and Shauri Moyo.
The constituency fund is currently putting up a Shs 7 million administration block at St Theresa’s Secondary School and a Shs 8 million multi-purpose hall at Joel Omino Secondary School.
“Victoria Primary School received Shs 3.6 million while Central primary school received Shs 1.6 million for renovations. We have renovated six classrooms at Kisumu Day Secondary school. We are building a Shs 6.7 million ultra-modern ablution block and renovating staff houses at the school,’ said Outa.
Ouda says they have also helped Kisumu Boys and Kisumu Girls high schools and the Kenya Medical Training College – Lake Victoria campus. Kisumu Boys High School received 40 lockers.
The MP said he will also embark on improving the infrastructure in public schools within the constituency.
Ouda said he will try and empower the youth by trying to open up business for them so that they have something to do to earn a living.
