Kuria East Member of Parliament Marwa Kitayama has distributed cheques worth 50 million shillings to the bursary.
This has become historic for the whole of Kuria since the inception of NG-CDF as all applicants who sent forms benefited from the kitty.
Speaking during the the handing over of the cheques, Kitayama said that his efforts to improve the quality of education in the area have borne fruit with more students now joining universities and colleges courtesy of the education funding through the NG-CDF bursary.
However, the legislator dismissed some claims from those criticizing NG-CDF-funded projects calling them enemies of progress.
He adds that he is not moved by the threats and waves trying to carry him off the ground in his quest to better the constituents’ lives.
Kitayama called on the constituents and political opponents to give him time to deliver to the Kuria East residents, the promises he made to them when he sought their mandate.
“I want to say that I am firmly focused on improving the lives of those residing in Kuria East by providing the most basic needs and anything trying to say our stance on this will not be given attention,” said Kitayama.
He also noted that several schools have been put in place which have shortened the distances covered by students seeking education, as well as reducing the burden for parents in terms of transport costs.
“Through this kitty, so far in Kuria East, I have built schools in addition to those that existed, as a means to ensure that our children access education cheaply as we also seek a means to reduce the burden for parents who are trying to make both ends meet,” said the legislator.
Since his election to the National Assembly, the MP has built an additional seven Secondary schools with modern classrooms.
This makes the area boast of 15 schools with teachers to streamline the learning process.
Among the newly founded schools include Nyabikongori, Kematoba, Kebarori, Nguruna and Nyamagingo all of which he said have created more job opportunities in the area for teachers and community members.
“Today, I am boasting of seven newly started schools all of which complement the 8 existing ones. These seven new schools make history since the election of any other Member of Parliament to represent Kuria,” he said.
Kitayama who also serves as a committee Member for Water in the National Assembly chided the critics of his development agenda, terming them as naysayers.
He encouraged the residents to avoid rumours from those who are out to soil his good reputation of progression development to curtail the good rapport between him and the constituents.
“I, therefore, want to make it clear that anybody opposing the creation of the new schools is an enemy of progress and their aim of curtailing our work must not be given an ear,” he added.
The Member of Parliament also warned the ill-minded members of the community against attacking teachers, saying that it all narrows down to their children’s performance in schools.
He instead encouraged the residents to embrace the teachers, giving them a conducive environment for the benefit of the learners.
Teacher Shortage
The MP has also promised to ensure that all the secondary schools some of which up to now lack Principals get complete staff to ensure that the learning process is seamless.
“I am in constant consultation with the Teachers Service Commissions (TSC) so that before the first quarter, we shall all have completed staff at the said schools.
He said that through his efforts, more than ten teachers hailing from the area have been absorbed permanently.
He said that through this, the teachers will be a point of reference for the learners from the Constituency, putting more effort to emulate them in their pursuit of education.
Other Auxiliary Projects
The Member of Parliament said that the national government through its Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) will be mapping the area to install electricity.
The MP said that the move will factor in schools in the area so that the learners get more time to learn.
This will be made possible by starting boarding schools so learners spend more time in school, avoiding activities at home that may distract their attention from books.
The MP said this in reaction to complaints from parents about the lack of electricity in schools, saying that it has influenced the poor performance of other schools in the area.
“As we speak, I want to make you understand that the government of Kenya through REREC will be soon rolling out last-mile connectivity. This will encompass schools and homes so that we will all have a well-lit surroundings,” he said.
The MP also commended the area Members of the County Assembly for having tirelessly coordinated the drilling of boreholes in the area which now provides clean water for homes and schools.
Access Roads
The MP laughed off the critics who initially opposed the first road project, saying that as it stands, the road has enabled students and business people to reach their destinations without fail.
He referred to Isibania- Kehancha -Kegonga- Ntimaru to Kilgoris covering 105 km, which has now eased the area’s transport.
He also promised to persuade the government to build more roads, especially the one connecting Tarang’anya to Ntimaru which has so far been gazetted estimated at 5 billion.
EKAI JAMES 
IAN BYRON