Bondo: The Mpesa Foundation is set to undertake an infrastructural upgrade at Masita Comprehensive School in Bondo Sub County at a cost of Sh50.7 million. Through the Citizens of the Future programme, the foundation will construct nine classrooms, an ECD centre, an ICT lab, an administration block, an ablution block, and a kitchen at the school.

According to Kenya News Agency, Safaricom Foundation Chairperson Joe Ogutu stated that the Citizens of the Future programme aims to improve infrastructure in selected schools across the country and equip them with ICT facilities to prepare students for a digital economy. The upgrade of the school facilities is expected to be completed in July, with the handover slated for August.

Principal Secretary in the State Department for Children Affairs, Ms. Caren Agengo, who was the chief guest at the ceremony, mentioned that the upgrade will enhance learning and teaching conditions for both pupils and teachers while offering dignity, particularly to female pupils. 'What Safaricom has done will ensure we have a safe and conducive learning facility which will go a long way to improve grades but, most importantly, it will give dignity to our female pupils through better sanitation facilities,' Agengo remarked.

She was accompanied by Trade PS Regina Akoth, who noted that the ICT hub would provide students with the opportunity to learn digital skills essential for online jobs and trade, contributing to the country's economic growth.

Bondo MP Dr. Gideon Ochanda, who attended the event, praised the Mpesa Foundation for supporting school infrastructural development nationwide. Ochanda pointed out that with over a hundred schools in a constituency, the National Government Constituencies Development Fund would need close to Sh2 billion for infrastructure upgrades in each constituency. He encouraged corporate entities to follow the Mpesa initiative to enhance learning facilities countrywide.