MPs want state to reconstruct schools, roads damaged by floods

Marooned, Burgei Secondary School in Rongai, Nakuru County, on April 5, 2024, after the River Rongai burst its banks flooding into homes and schools. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Members of Parliament have urged the government to prioritise the reconstruction of schools, roads and bridges damaged by floods before learners report back for a second term.

At least 1,967 schools have been affected by floods as heavy rains pound the country.

MPs noted that the floods destroyed classrooms, dormitories, halls, toilets, latrines, fences and perimeter walls, rendering many institutions inhabitable.

They said that families displaced by floods have sought shelter in schools, further straining the already limited facilities.

Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga emphasized the need for the government to provide emergency grants to aid constituencies to repair the damaged schools.

He called for urgent reconstruction of toilets, which are vital for the well-being of learners.

"The government should roll out funding to constituencies to rebuild toilets which have sunk in schools to avert another disaster after the rains. We cannot renovate toilets. We have to look for extra money to build toilets in schools for the security of our learners," Kalasinga said.

The second term legislator urged government reconstruct bridges swept away by floods, to ensure safety of learners, especially day scholars.

"Here, at least four bridges have been destroyed. When schools reopen, we will have a big problem for students to cross to the other side," Kalasinga said.

President Ruto, while postponing the reopening of schools last week, directed the Ministry of Education to collaborate with the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) to provide funding for the repair and rehabilitation of the damaged school infrastructure.

However, Kalasinga pointed out the limitations faced by MPs in expending funds outside of the current year's budget.

“The president is giving us a duty to assist in the reconstruction of schools, at a time the projects were submitted to the board and sealed the returns. You cannot spend any money on project that is not on the code unless it is emergency money,” he said.

Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi called for aid to purchase school supplies, such as textbooks, to prevent pupils from dropping out due to the loss of learning materials.

“We need to deal with the sewer in  schools since most toilets are full of water,” Elachi said.

“All learning materials have been submerged in water, which will require us to begin a fresh. I am requesting for school bags, exercise books, pens, rulers,” she added.

Malava MP Malulu Injendi said the ongoing rains have wreaked havoc in schools and appealed for urgent intervention to ensure smooth learning.

“The rains continue reigning havoc on schools. When the rains subside assessment should be done to ascertain the number of schools damaged so that reconstruction can be done,” Injendi said.

“The government will come up with a comprehensive roadmap on reopening of schools depending on the magnitude of the damage. Every corner of this country has felt the weight of flooding,” he added.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja reaffirmed his administration's commitment to reconstruct bridges swept away by floods to ensure children access schools.

"I can confirm that we are starting the reconstruction of those bridges to make sure our children can go to school without any struggle," Sakaja said.