The Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) Foundation has unveiled a state-of-the-art ablution block at the Miritini World Bank Comprehensive School in Mombasa County.
The newly constructed 20 toilets will improve sanitation and enhance the learning environment for over 2,200 students at the school tucked between residential houses.
The school wrote a proposal to the KPC Foundation requesting an ablution block for the learners in June.
“This was initiated by a great need that was sought from us because the school has over 2200 children and didn’t have facilities that could accommodate all of them,” said KPC Director and Member of the Foundation Board of Trustees Irene Wachira.
Ms Wachira says the KPC journey starts in the Port City of Mombasa, and it’s prudent to support the communities around it.
She added that the foundation also supports schools in all 47 counties “touching the hearts of others and also doing well for the communities”
The project was built in a record three months to avert diarrhea diseases caused by poor sanitation owing to the large number of learners in the school.
The KPC Director appealed to other organizations to aid the school in resolving its water challenge.
“Miritini World Bank School also has a shortage of water, we call on all well-wishers within Mombasa County to try and come to the school’s aid just like we have. We are not stopping here but that is a great concern,” she stated.
The School’s Head Teacher Makulata Bana said the modern toilet will be used by girls who were using pit latrines.
She divulged that the fetid smell from the pit latrines irked KPC employees living in the staff quarters adjacent to the school.
“KPC boss informed me that employees were rejecting the allocation of houses near the school because of the smell,” said the Head Teacher.
“We had requested 72 toilets in our proposal because of the high learners’ enrollment. They promised to build the rest later,” she added.
Hamza Kombo an Officer from the Jomvu MP Office thanked KPC for the project saying it will enhance hygiene in the populous school. The CDF he said has constructed six classrooms for a seamless transition to Junior Secondary School.
“We have set aside funds in the current financial year to build the first-ever special unit school in the constituency for our disabled children to learn. It will be well equipped,” said Kombo.
He further urged other corporates to borrow a leaf from the KPC Foundation and initiate projects in the communities.
By Sadik Hassan
