New classrooms at last for Bondeni

By Dennis Kipkirui

Hon.Nderithu Muriithi unveils a new classroom block

At long last pupils of Bondeni primary school, Laikipia County have a reason to smile. This is after new classrooms were commissioned on Monday by area MP and Industrialization assistant minister Nderitu Muriithi. It took seven months for the school to realize the dream after the roof of the former classroom was blown away by storm. Laikipia Rural Voices (LRV)did a vigorous campaign which drew a lot of attention and the school managed to get CDF funds which initially had proofed hard to come by to construct the new classrooms.

There was joy and merry when the MP officially unveiled the plaque as a sign of completion of the four classrooms. Ironically these were the first permanent buildings for the school after it was started in 1978 by then area MP Godfrey Gitahi Kariuki (famously known as GG and also vying for senator-ship in the County). Although many of those who attended the function saw it as a political mileage given that this is the electioneering period in the country, it could not escape attention that they were grateful to be remembered by the incumbent regime after being forgotten for many years. The MP promised to build more classrooms if elected in the up-coming General Elections.

View of new classroom block constructed using CDF

Earlier the event had received much publication after a vehicle had gone round to announce the coming of the MP. Many parents turned up to receive the guest. He urged them to elect him so that he can complete the projects he had started. He is currently vying for the post of senator in a United Democratic Forum (UDF) party headed by Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi. 

Pupils learning in former dilapidated classroom

The MP is fighting off the alleged announcement made in the area by Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta who heads The National Alliance (TNA) party purported to be enjoying massive support in the area. It is alleged that Uhuru cautioned those MPs not in TNA that they will not be elected for any post unless they join his party. The remarks have attracted many condemnations especially from MPs from central province who are not in TNA and those from Eastern Rift Valley. It is worth noting that TNA is finding inroads in the area. This is shown by massive defections witnessed recently by County Representative aspirants in UDF to TNA. Muriithi asked residents to elect him given his unmatched development record in the area. Pundits however argue that he is among the under-performing MPs the area has ever had.