It was song and dance at Mnagei Secondary School within Kapenguria Town in West Pokot Sub County when a school bus they were promised in 2017 by President Uhuru Kenyatta was handed over in a landmark ceremony.
The school’s normal schedule was interrupted to officially receive the 51-seater bus with the community lauding the President for fulfilling his promise at a time when the school is experiencing a huge enrolment.
The school administration led by the Principal Hannah Lotuliatum said the bus will go a long way in boosting the academic standards of the school which currently has a total student population of 719.
“This school started with a population of 7 students in 2011 but to date it has increased tremendously. We are confident that with the donation of this bus our performance is going to improve from last year’s mean of 4.5,” stated the principal.
Parents expressed their gratitude to the head of state saying the community is proud of his leadership for enhancing the well-being of children.
“We are delighted by the concern our president has for our school which is still young. This bus is going to make our day school compete with other big school in matters of academics for it will boost our students’ morale,” said Jane Lotum, a parent.
Presiding over the handing over of the bus to school on Friday, West Pokot Deputy County Commissioner Kennedy Lunalo asked the parents to support the school for better education standards.
Lunalo called on the community members to ensure their children attend school for 100 per cent transition.
“The government is keen on supporting schools through infrastructure. We should reciprocate through quality performance and ensuring all our children go to school,” he noted.
He castigated those community members still exposing their children to Female Genital Mutilation and early marriages saying the practices are a recipe for school dropouts.
Devolution and ASALs Principal Secretary Micah Powon asked the community to have confidence in the president’s leadership, noting that the school is very lucky to have received such a big boost.
“Being given a bus from the head of state is no such mean feat. This is a clear indication that the government cares for this community,” highlighted Powon.
Other area leaders among them West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio and Kapenguria member of parliament Samuel Moroto hailed the president for the big show of issuing the school bus that they said will change the face of the mixed day school which caters for parents most of whom are vulnerable.
They said the school should be proud of the bus and utilize it to enhance their academic performance.
By Richard Muhambe
