Eldoret: Safaricom has committed Sh51 million towards the construction of additional facilities at Eldoret Special School for the Intellectually Challenged in Uasin Gishu County, in a move expected to improve learning and accommodation for learners with special needs. The project, which was launched during a groundbreaking ceremony at the school on Saturday, comprises two dormitories, three vocational classrooms, and a borehole fitted with solar-powered water-heating fittings.
According to Kenya News Agency, Safaricom Chief People Officer Florence Nyokabi stated that the investment is part of the company’s long-standing partnership with Uasin Gishu County aimed at transforming lives through investments in education, healthcare, and economic empowerment. Nyokabi emphasized the empowerment that learning will bring to children and people with special needs, allowing them to thrive and have equal opportunities to succeed in the external world.
Nyokabi highlighted that Safaricom had supported 106 projects in the county at a cost of more than Sh600 million, with education receiving the largest share of the investment. She mentioned that this latest project was a fulfillment of a commitment made by Safaricom CEO Dr. Peter Ndegwa during a previous visit to the school. Safaricom had previously supported vocational training at the school by providing equipment, including hairdressing tools, to enable learners to apply the skills they acquire.
The new infrastructure aims to empower learners with special needs to develop their abilities and enjoy equal opportunities to succeed. Nyokabi also noted that the borehole would help the institution become self-sufficient in water and potentially benefit neighboring institutions. The construction is expected to take 45 weeks, with the facilities scheduled to open in June 2027.
Dina Chebaskony, the school’s Head of Institution, welcomed the investment, stating the facilities would provide a safer and more conducive environment for learning and skill development. Chebaskony highlighted that the dormitories would offer secure accommodation, while the vocational classrooms would create opportunities for learners to acquire practical skills essential for self-reliance.
Chebaskony emphasized that many learners with intellectual challenges possess talents that can be nurtured into careers, enabling them to become more self-reliant. She also called for the development of the school’s swampy sports field into a proper facility, recognizing the exceptional sporting abilities of some learners who have competed at national and international levels. She expressed gratitude to Safaricom for recognizing the potential of learners with intellectual challenges and focusing on their abilities and talents.
