The Japanese Embassy in Kenya has handed over two modern and well equipped school dormitories to the Kwale County Government.
Japanese Ambassador to Kenya, Horie Ryoichi and Kwale Governor, Salim Mvurya, graced the event which aims to improve boarding facilities at Ng’onzini Primary School in Kinango Sub-county.
Ambassador Ryoichi said the dormitories were funded by the Japanese government through Born Free Foundation-Kenya.
The Envoy said the Embassy of Japan provided the Born Free Foundation about Sh. 14.9 million through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP), to construct two modern and well equipped dormitories to enhance the learning environment for pupils.
The two leaders discussed several key areas of partnership in development, among them education, water services, health amongst others.
Ambassador Ryoichi commended Governor Mvurya for his dedication in transforming the lives of the people in Kwale County.
Ryoichi who was accompanied by his wife, Yuko Horie and Born Free Foundation Country Director, Timothy Oloo, assured the Governor of continued support from the people of Japan in various sectors of development.
Governor Mvurya urged Kwale residents to support the County Government’s ‘Elimu Ni Sasa’ initiative that has transformed education in the County.
Governor Mvurya expressed hope that going forward the academic performance of the boarding school for both boys and girls will make a positive mark.
The County Boss promised to give the education sector a priority, noting that it was crucial to alleviating poverty.
Mvurya said his Administration would focus on technical and vocational education as a means of helping the youth who are unable to continue with further education due to various challenges, gain meaningful skills for self-employment and job creation.
He also lauded the Japanese Government for supporting various development projects in the coastal County and assured the Japanese Ambassador that the County Government of Kwale, will continue partnering Japan.
“As a devolved unit, we support all partners and investors whose aim is to spur development for our people,” said Mvurya.
Governor Mvurya said under the Elimu ni Sasa program, 5,500 students in national schools, 3,300 in universities and 60,000 in ordinary secondary schools, benefit from the bursary awards.
“We devolved the bursary system to the grassroots where local committees, determine who gets the money. We have delinked it from politics completely,” said Mvurya.
The Elimu ni Sasa bursary programme that the Governor introduced in 2013/14 when he was first elected has been voted the best in the country.
By Raymond Zaka and Hussein Abdullahi
