Why MP wants qualified electricians employed for school wiring projects

Sabatia MP Alfred Agoi (left) tours a dormitory razed down at Kigama secondary school [PHOTO: ERIC LUNGAI/STANDARD]

KAKAMEGA, KENYA: Sabatia MP Alfred Agoi wants head teachers to employ services of qualified electricians during wiring of buildings in schools.

Agoi said this will help reduce cases of school fires that have been rampant in the region over the past years.

The legislator said schools were spending a fortune in repairing burnt down dormitories and classes and the fire is often blamed on electric fault.

"Most principals, in their efforts to use cheap labour, end up employing electricians that are not qualified and to some extent quacks. This ends up costing schools that are then burdened with repairs that cost more than building new structures," said Agoi.

He spoke when he toured Kigama secondary school whose dormitory was razed last week and 57 students affected by losing personal effects.

Agoi led in issuing of Sh9.5 million cheques from the CDF to nine schools in the region to help in various projects.

The MP said in a span of less than a year, three schools in Sabatia Sub County, including Chavakali, Chavogere and Kigama, have been affected with cases of electric faults leading to razing down of dormitories.

He said, "Kenya Power should always make sure that they have inspected facilities in schools to make sure they are up to date with their wiring."

He said Kenya Power will be held to compensate schools that are affected because it seems their employees are complacent.

The MP further said CDF has set aside Sh30 million for bursaries starting next month, up from Sh16 million that has been set aside in the past.

He said investing in education through CDF was a noble course that would enable residents to access education that is the only source of livelihood.

"We do not have industries in this region and our only hope is education that can help create human resource for export," he said.

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CDF School fires