By Arnold Ageta
West Mugirango MP Stephen Mogaka has today presided over the site handing-over ceremony for the Improved School Infrastructure Project at Otanyore Secondary School.
The project, funded by the M-Pesa Foundation, will see the school benefit from a modern tuition block, an administration block, and a kitchen block.
Speaking during the ceremony at the school, the area MP, Stephen Mogaka, thanked the M-Pesa Foundation for agreeing to construct the school, noting that Otanyore has faced poor infrastructure since its inception.
“This school deserves this project because it has been using mabati (iron sheet) structures that are not conducive to learning,” Mogaka said.
The MP added that once the project is completed, students will enjoy learning in a conducive and tech-savvy environment that most schools in the county currently lack.
“Otanyore Secondary School will have the best laboratories and an ICT hub to boost technical and science learning in the school,” he added.
Mogaka noted that the launch is a dream come true for him and his National Assembly colleague, Irene Mayaka.
He further appreciated the M-Pesa Foundation for its continued support towards rural learning institutions that need a financial boost to erect improved structures across the country.
Nominated MP Irene Mayaka, who was the guest of honor, officially handed over the ground after a groundbreaking ceremony for the project, which is expected to take between 6 to 8 months.
Ms. Mayaka acknowledged the M-Pesa Foundation’s support, thanking them for accepting the joint proposal submitted by her and area MP Stephen Mogaka.
“As we do the groundbreaking ceremony today, the M-Pesa Foundation is going to fund a modern facility worth KES 56 million,” she announced.
Ms. Mayaka further stated that the project will take a maximum of eight months before being officially opened for use.
She revealed that the comprehensive project includes a tuition block, an administration block, a multipurpose kitchen block, and ablution blocks for each of the structures.
“M-Pesa Foundation will also set up an equipped ICT hub, a science lab, and supply all the furniture needed in the school, besides providing water tanks for each block,” she added.
Additionally, the project will cater for a steel gate, a chain-link fence, a 10-door toilet block for boys, and a 14-door toilet block for girls.
She also assured Otanyore residents that locals will secure 70 percent of the workforce required for the construction.
The announcement was received with jubilation by the locals, who are set to be engaged when the project kicks off next week.
She encouraged the youth—both male and female—to grab the opportunity to earn an income.
Furthermore, Ms. Mayaka promised to follow up on last-mile water connectivity extensions to the school to ensure a continuous flow of water, eliminating the need for students to fetch water from surrounding springs.
“Together with the area MP, we will push for electricity connection to the school through the Ministry of Energy, and that will be done before the project is completed,” she said.
M-Pesa Foundation’s Project Manager, Sam Chege, who will be managing the construction, asked the locals to embrace and support the project until its successful completion.
“Thanks for accepting the project, and I would like you to embrace this baby and nurture her until she grows to her full stature,” Chege said.
He added: “As the M-Pesa Foundation, we are just coming in to join the Otanyore harambee (pulling together) which began in 2021.
We acknowledge and respect the remarkable growth that you have achieved on your own. It is an absolute honor to pursue the next mile of digital transformation with you.”
Mr. Mogaka concluded by stating that this project is just the beginning of many educational infrastructure upgrades planned for West Mugirango to boost academic standards.
MP Mogaka Mourns Popular Gusii Figure Richoni Mayaka
Later in the day, the MP attended a burial ceremony at Nyakeore village, where he mourned a close friend popularly known to many as “Richoni” Mayaka.
The lawmaker described Richoni not just as a person, but as an institution, paying his last respects to a man he credited with nurturing his own leadership career.
With tears in his eyes, the MP moved the crowd as he described how Richoni built connections that never discriminated against anyone but transcended all boundaries.
“As you meet your Creator, intercede for us. Protect your loving wife and the family. And when the names are called up yonder, may we find our names in the book of life,” the MP said, directly addressing Richoni’s casket.
Richoni was widely mourned across Kisii vernacular radio stations, including Minto FM and Egesa FM, among others with a heavy fanbase in the Gusii region.
