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Shame of neglected classrooms next to swanky Umoja swimming pool

By HILARY KIMUYU September 19th, 2017 2 min read

Parents in Umoja 1 Primary School are questioning the sense of priority of their local MP George Theuri.

The flamboyant Embakasi West legislator splashed millions from the Constituency Development Fund to build a giant swimming pool in the school at the expense of improving the classrooms.

Pupils in the school now have to sit on three legged chairs or jerrycans while looking over the idle swimming pool, opened to the public only on weekends.

A parent at the school recently managed to sneak into a classroom and took pictures of the dilapidated chairs and desks after her child confessed of the deplorable conditions of her learning environment.

The parent then posted the pictures on a local Facebook group and questioned why their children have to study in such conditions despite annual contributions to the PTA kitty.

PHOTO | COURTESY
PHOTO | COURTESY

“Hello umoja people, imagine the kind of chairs and desks class 7 kids are sitting on at umoja primary, two legged, three legged and even mitungi za Maji, plz can our mheshimiwa help us kuongea na headmaster. Hata mtoe pesa za PTA he does nothing, last term tulitoa pesa ndio viti zitengezwe but all was in vain, plz plz if anyone anajua how this kids can get help wacheni tusaidiane,” she posted.

Residents and parents in the Facebook group condemned the negligence of the head teacher and wondered why their MP had not intervened despite numerous complaints.

Others wanted the Education CS Dr Fred Matiang’i to intervene.

The swimming pool project has since inception been marred by controversy, with residents questioning the rationale of constructing it in a neighbourhood perpetually experiencing water rationing.

The pool is intended to host inter-school swimming competitions and is also a recreational establishment for residents.

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