Nairobi: Nairobi Regional Commissioner (RC) Katee Mwanza has called upon Deputy County Commissioners in the Nairobi region to actively ensure the enrolment of all school-aged children who have not yet registered in schools. The RC emphasized the city’s alarming number of out-of-school children, despite the government’s efforts to establish public schools across the city’s 17 constituencies to facilitate full educational transition.
According to Kenya News Agency, Mwanza highlighted that most of these children are from informal settlements. He instructed the Deputy County Commissioners to collaborate with community elders, nyumba kumi leaders, and Assistant Chiefs to identify and enroll these children in public schools. This initiative aims to eliminate potential breeding grounds for criminal activities in informal settlements and address the issue of children attending Apbet schools, where the quality of education is questionable. Mwanza stressed the importance of early education, urging parents to enroll their children in Early Childhood Development classes instead of involving them in activities like hawking.
The Regional Commissioner also mentioned President William Ruto’s commitment to enhancing educational facilities in Nairobi. The government has allocated Sh1 billion for the financial year 2024/2025 to construct classrooms in all 17 constituencies through the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF). This funding aims to ensure that every child in the city has access to education. Additionally, the President plans to improve the feeding programs in public schools to provide meals for children who lack food at home, thus boosting school enrolment and retention.
Several school projects are underway in Nairobi County under the Presidential directive. These include constructing dormitories at Jamhuri High School to house 400 students, developing 21 classrooms and science laboratories at State House Girls High School, and building 12 classrooms and dormitories to accommodate 1,080 students at Nairobi School.
During the Nairobi National Government Regional/County Implementation Coordination and Management Committee meeting, attended by Nairobi County Commissioner David Wanyonyi and other officials, Mwanza instructed officials to supervise national government projects to ensure they are executed correctly. He emphasized the need for regular public engagement through barazas to discuss project implementation and address community challenges.
The government is also launching various projects, including developments in infrastructure, health, agriculture, small and medium enterprises, ICT, sports, and education. Mwanza stressed the importance of submitting monthly reports on ongoing government-funded projects and Presidential directives to aid in their timely completion and counteract misinformation.
Government Delivery Unit Director Jonah Orumoi stated that the unit is closely monitoring national government projects, including the NG-CDF classrooms for Junior Secondary Schools in the 17 constituencies funded for 2024/2025. The unit is also overseeing road constructions by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority and Kenya National Highways Authority, along with affordable housing projects, and developments at Nyayo Stadium and Talanta Stadium. The infrastructure sub-committee plans to visit various project sites in the city to assess their progress.