Residents and students of Kwanza Constituency are calling on
the Ministry of Education to address the halted construction of the Kwanza
Technical and Vocational College, which was expected to open its doors in
January 2025.
They expressed frustration that learning activities at the
institution, which was to be managed by the Kitale National Polytechnic, have
not taken place due to its incompletion. The contractor left the site without
handing over the project by the expected deadline of December 2024.
“I am among the students who were supposed to start classes
at this institute in January, following advice from the Kitale National
Polytechnic, since my parents couldn’t afford the cost of studying further
away, but nothing is happening,” said Mr. Maxwell Wafula.
The residents had high hopes when former Education Cabinet
Secretary Ezekiel Mochogu laid the foundation stone to pave the way for the
construction of the institution, but the lack of communication from the
government has left them in the dark.
“We have been left in the dark as we watch this facility
turn into a white elephant, despite the high expectations the entire community
had for its completion. We urge Cabinet Secretary Julius Migosi to intervene,”
said Shadrack Rono.
The construction of the technical institute began after the
local county government offered land at the Kwanza Vocational Training Center,
with the national government set to disburse Sh 68 million to facilitate the
process.
“If there is no response, we will be forced to hold
demonstrations at the county education office to demand answers as to why the
government has decided to frustrate the dreams of learners from this region,”
said Joseph Lusaka.