Area leaders indifferent to the plight of learners swimming across river to school

Learners at Petros and Bumini Primary schools in Mumias East constituency have resorted to swimming across river Lusumu to reach their schools. The makeshift bridge that facilitated their movement to the schools was swept away when the river burst its banks in December 2019.

While responding on the matter, the area legislator, alongside other leaders affiliated to Kakamega county administration, shoved the responsibility for restoring the bridge to the parents.

Member of Parliament, Benjamin Washiali, further added that the problem could be mitigated by pupils attending the school within their respective side of the river, thus eliminating the need to move across. Parents and teachers have since expressed their frustration at the leaders for trivializing the matter.

Other than the pedestrian and impractical approaches proposed by the leaders, no tangible commitment for a speedy resolution of the crisis was forthcoming.

Meanwhile, the pupils' quest for education prompts them to contend with numerous hazards, where they are forced to strip down and wade across while holding their uniforms and books above the head to keep them dry.

This comes at a time when the political class continues to distance themselves with the predicaments of the citizens. Last week, Kasarani legislator Mercy Gakuya was in the spotlight for her conspicuous absence and silence, while her constituents had it rough with the authorities during their protests over the poor state of roads.

In December 2019, controversial Embakasi MP Babu Owino also elicited fury amongst Nairobi residents when he declared his solidarity with embattled Governor Sonko on national radio.

Babu cited his personal friendship with Sonko, which discredited his commitment to the welfare of his constituents; victims of the loot Governor Sonko is alleged to have perpetrated.