- Machogu revealed that the government had given the high school Sh10 million to renovate the current student dormitories.
- Ezekiel additionally vowed to roll out Sh20 million in the coming financial year to build new classrooms and laboratories.
Image: FILE
Following the tragedy that left three students and a teacher dead, the state has splashed millions on Sacred Heart Mukumu Girls high school in Kakamega.
While speaking on Wednesday before the Senate, the Cabinet Secretary for Education Ezekiel Machogu revealed projects amounting to approximately Sh40 million that the government had initiated in the institution.
The school recently made headlines following an outbreak that claimed the lives of four and left hundreds of others hospitalized.
Following the school’s closure on April 3, the CS has embarked on a multi-million-shilling series of activities to save the face of the ministry and contain the already worsening situation.
On May 27, CS Machogu commissioned Sh6 million water purification machine.
The launch followed the sinking of a new borehole within the school premises.
Speaking at the launch, the CS stated that the purification machine is set to clean water from the borehole and ensure it’s safe for consumption.
Speaking before the Senate, he revealed that the government had additionally given the high school Sh10 million to renovate the current student dormitories.
This, he said, was to remove the asbestos present in the buildings’ roofs which he attributed contributed to the contamination.
“We have asbestos iron sheets almost all over the school which is not good. The government has given Sh10 million to renovate dormitories and remove asbestos from the roofs to ensure that the learners are in a good general environment that is clean and healthy,” he stated.
The Ministry additionally refurbished the school’s kitchen, bakery and dining hall and fitted the dining hall’s tables with aluminium sheets.
While responding to a question from Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, Machogu said the ministry had purchased a 12-acre piece of land to address the ongoing overpopulation issue in the school.
“The school procured 12 additional acres on the other side of the road,” Machogu said.
Ezekiel additionally vowed to roll out Sh20 million in the coming financial year to build new classrooms and laboratories.
“I’m sure out of the infrastructural funds we’ll be given during this coming financial year 2023/2024, one of the schools going to be a beneficiary is Mukumu Girls. I assure you that it will be done,” he added.
The families of the deceased students who died at Mukumu Girls due to contaminated foods will also receive Sh400, 000 each in compensation.
The CS said the government will facilitate this through the EduAfya Insurance Policy.
“The families of the deceased students will receive Sh400, 000 per student from Group Life Insurance Cover as compensation," Machogu said.
He disclosed that the Ministry had also catered for the treatment cost of the 109 students who were admitted to various health facilities.