The Homa Bay government intends to build 160 more early childhood education classrooms as part of a quick-results strategy.
The programme, Genowa Ondoa Kaunda Classrooms, got underway at God Ndonyo Primary School in Kibiri ward, Karachuonyo constituency on Friday.
Governor Gladys Wanga said the initiative, a component of her campaign platform, will benefit all 40 wards equally, providing each with an equal number of classrooms.
The previous administration built 20 classrooms, while 33 others stalled midway.
“We constructed 80 classrooms in the last financial year. We have increased the number to 160 in the current financial year,” Wanga said.
Each classroom will cost Sh1 million, with the funds controlled by schools and the local community.
She said the new approach will create job opportunities for people living in areas surrounding the schools.
"The Public Procurement Act contains this type of contact. Funding at the municipal level is beneficial," she said.
The strategy will help get rid of the county government's outstanding bills. A project management committee will oversee the project at each school.
"The contractor buys fuel with a portion of the money that should go towards the building. The corporations have to turn a profit too, and they will cease work as soon as the project's funding runs out,” she said.
According to Martin Opere, the county executive for education, the devolved unit created a blueprint for classroom construction, and every school will have a single, identical facility.
He said MCAs should oversee the exercise and cautioned school administrators to be wary of those posing as county authorities.
"We intend to complete all buildings that have stalled in our schools," Opere said.
He urged the committees to avoid dishonest practices, warning that the community would take stern action against those found guilty of mismanaging the funds set aside for the projects.
"Make sure you finish building the classrooms on time. Anyone who loses money will face legal action," he said.
