The school that SGR swallowed

Kwale Senator Issa Juma Boy and Kinango MP Benjamin Tayari have decried the delayed completion of  the re-construction of Mariakani Roman Catholic Primary School in Kwale County which was demolished and relocated to a new site to pave way for the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project.

The two said reconstruction of the school which has stalled for four years, was long overdue and should be addressed as a matter of urgency.

The legislators, who visited the institution at its temporary premises, said the delay had adversely affected pupils and teachers who are currently operating from a make-shift iron sheet structure.

The old school was built on a five-acre parcel of land and had 19 classrooms with a population of 1,200 pupils .

It was pulled down before re-location plans were complete despite education officials’ advice against such a move.

According to the school head teacher, Patrick Mangale, the project has been slowed down by delays in paying the contractor engaged by Kenya Railways Corporation.

This is despite reports that the school was awarded Ksh21 million in compensation.

“We would like the issue urgently looked into to stop any further delays since our current facility and environment is not conducive to proper learning and might even affect our performance in national exams,” he said.

Boy and Tayari promised to meet the management of Kenya Railways in a bid to resolve the issue to hasten the construction work.

“We should not wait forever for the completion of the project while pupils continue to suffer,” said Mr. Tayari.

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“We will meet with the management to establish where the problem lies and ensure work is speeded up for the sake of our children,” he added.

Boy said they have information that the compensation cash was released and the contractor ought to have completed the work without any excuses.

According to the acting Mwavumbo location chief Solomon Chale the new school building had reached lintel level and was expected to be complete by next year.

Kenya Railways Managing Director Atanus Maina was once quoted saying that no school was to be moved until all issues had been resolved including temporary transfer.

Other schools that were relocated include Mwadudu Secondary School, Mpirani, Ndohoyo, Samburu, Mgalani and Mwembeni primary schools.