Kirinyaga leaders, residents laud move to postpone school opening date

Kirinyaga leaders and residents have lauded the move by the government to push the schools' opening date from April 29 to  May 6.

They said the move will save many learners from the dangers of the raging floods in the country.

Gichugu MP Gichimu Githinji welcomed the move saying many children would have had difficulties getting to school because of floods occasioned by the downpour being witnessed in the country.

Some roads are inaccessible, he said, and therefore it was not advisable to put children's lives in danger, adding that their safety comes first.

There have been many incidents of people losing their lives, property or getting displaced and there is no need, therefore, of taking the risk, he said.

“Schools in some areas are flooded and so no learning can take place there. It was a prudent decision by the government despite the announcement being late,” he said.

There had been complaints from some quarters that the announcement by the government came late.

The MP, however, expressed optimism that the rains will have subsided by the set opening date.

The Education CS released the communication postponing the reopening of schools on Monday.

Githinji spoke when he distributed bursary cheques worth Sh55 million to over 15,000 learners in his constituency outside the Gichugu NG-CDF office Monday.

Kirinyaga deputy speaker Njinaro Njamumo also commended the move but also emphasised on the need for both parents and learners to be cautious.

The Mutithi MCA said the rains are still ongoing and that people should move to safer grounds to avoid disasters.

Kirinyaga has been affected by the floods that have so far seen one person dead, several families displaced and property destroyed.

Njamumo spoke at his Mutithi ward when he also distributed county government bursary cheques to learners on Monday where he gave out cheques worth Sh7 million to close to 4,000 learners.

This he said is an increase from last year’s Sh5 million.

A parent, Sofia Ng’ang’a, from Gichugu, welcomed the move saying the floods posed a danger to learners.

“We received the report from the cabinet secretary positively. Some learners who study nearby had reported to school but were told to return home,” she said.

Daniel Gakuru, a parent, also commended the government for the move but said it should, in future, give such communication early enough.

He said many parents were worried following the many deaths that have been experienced during the rains.