Kiharu MP, Ndindi Nyoro has launched various development projects funded to a tune of Sh100 million to benefit schools and local communities in his constituency.
Nyoro said the over one hundred projects earmarked to be undertaken will be completed in the month of December ahead of schools’ reopening in January next year.
The MP said projects to be undertaken are the upgrade of 33-day secondary schools, upgrade of 21 public primary schools, construction of seven administration offices for chiefs and their assistants and 54 environmental projects in public institutions.
Speaking during the launch and training of Project Management Committee Members including principals, head teachers and other officials at Mothers Union Hall, Murang’a town, Nyoro said the projects are funded 90 percent mainly from the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF).
“We have successfully tiled the classrooms of the majority of public primary schools and are now working to ensure that all 65-day secondary schools’ classrooms are also fully tiled,” said Nyoro, explaining that the remaining 10 percent of funds is from savings made from various projects that had been earlier implemented.
He said they will be landscaping 25 school compounds with cabro pavements to enhance their aesthetic appeal and functionality, with plans to complete the project in the remaining 65 schools.
“The projects will be executed during the month of December so that by the time schools reopen in January next year, all the work will be over so as not to interfere with the learning of the students”, he said.
The Kiharu MP said community-based labour contract will be used where casual workers and qualified masonry are used to work on different projects instead of the tender based formula that benefits contractors.
Through the labour-based contract, Ndindi observed that for each project, the amount of money allocated is utilized maximally without any contractor setting aside some profits for work done, and that way, many projects are born out of the savings in the labour-based contract.
“Labour based is where casual workers and qualified masonry workers in the area are used to work on different projects instead of the tender based formula that benefits the contractors” he clarified.
Nyoro said the 54 environmental projects will involve programs where local groups will plant trees in schools and public institutions to promote a greener and more sustainable future.
“Tree planting projects will be given to the various groups that are located in that area” he said adding that his administration is dedicated to creating an environment that fosters learning, growth, and confidence among our children.
He divulged that to fully empower the community, they eliminated contractors in these programs and prioritised hiring residents for these projects, ensuring that job opportunities remain within the community.
Meanwhile, Nyoro divulged that by mid-December, they will launch a free three-month vocational training course for at least 1,000 students in hairdressing, beauty, hospitality, and driving.
“To make these courses more accessible, we will establish practical training stations in local areas, reducing transport costs for participants” he said while thanking the people of Kiharu who have been giving him ideas of what projects to be done.
“Driving students upon completing their driving tests, will receive their new smart driving licenses at no cost,” he added.
On his part, senior chief Stephen Komu said that as administration officers, they are very excited because services will be brought closer to the people through the construction of chief and assistant chief’s offices.
“The constructions of these government administration offices will bolster security in the areas and residents will not have to walk for long distances to seek the services from chiefs” he said.
Micheal Chege, an administrator lauded MP Nyoro for his efforts in prioritising education and school infrastructure when budgeting money allocated in the Constituencies Development Fund.
“Some of the schools in the constituencies used to conduct harambees to enable construction and renovation of classrooms but NG-CDF has lightened the financial burden for parents” he said.
By Anita Omwenga and Francis Anjilwa