Lugari: Safaricom M-PESA Foundation is set to undertake Sh115 million infrastructural upgrades of Sango and Makhwabuye Comprehensive schools in Lugari Constituency, Kakamega County. Under the multi-million infrastructural development initiative, Sango and Makhwabuye Comprehensive schools will benefit from Sh60 million and Sh55 million respectively aimed at improving access to quality education, under the foundation’s Citizens of the Future Programme.
According to Kenya News Agency, in both schools the foundation will construct 11 new classrooms, an administration block, a modern kitchen, a science laboratory, and a 40-seater ICT laboratory. Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony for the upgrade at Sango Comprehensive School, Safaricom M-PESA Foundation Chairperson Joseph Ogutu stated that the initiatives are aimed at improving infrastructure in selected schools across the country and equipping the schools with ICT facilities to prepare learners to serve in a digital economy.
Ogutu emphasized that Safaricom M-PESA Foundation is putting a lot of emphasis on the education sector, which is why it is investing significantly in schools across the country. For Sango Comprehensive School, the Board approved Sh60 million to transform the school. The plan includes a completely new school from Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) to junior school, along with a modern kitchen fitted with a heavy-duty energy-saving jiko to prepare meals for the learners.
The school will also receive a science and an ICT laboratory, which will be equipped with computers and internet access. Ogutu noted that the school should allow neighboring schools to utilize the laboratory to equip their learners with digital literacy skills. Additionally, Ogutu mentioned that the school should permit members of the public who wish to access government services like E-Citizen to use the ICT laboratory for a small maintenance fee.
Ogutu further mentioned that the foundation has given the contractor undertaking the construction works at least 8 months to complete the project. Lugari lawmaker Nabii Nabwera commended Safaricom M-PESA Foundation for supporting school infrastructural development in the constituency, stating that the upgrade will significantly improve the learning and teaching environment in the two schools.
Nabwera expressed appreciation as a resident of Lugari Constituency, acknowledging the foundation for its substantial investment in local schools. He highlighted that when he was elected in 2022, the constituency had 25 schools with mud-walled classrooms, including Sango and Makhwabuye. With the ongoing upgrades, only two will be left, and he is working on transforming them as well.
Nabwera also noted that although many organizations operate within the country, only Safaricom has shown a different and beneficial relationship with the public, which is reciprocated through loyalty. He praised Safaricom for sharing its profits without focusing on its balance sheet and proving to be a social institution.
