Joel Chacha/Kenya,Nairobi,
Safaricom Foundation has kicked off its ambitious plan to construct and upgrade 500 schools across Kenya’s 47 counties over the next five years, beginning with the groundbreaking of a KSh95 million infrastructure project at Kihate Primary School in Mukurweni.
The groundbreaking ceremony was graced by Cabinet Secretary for Education Julius Ogamba joined by Agriculture and Livestock Development Sen. Mutahi Kagwe, marking another milestone in efforts to improve learning environments through partnerships between government, the private sector and local communities.
Speaking during the event, CS Mutahi Kagwe called on former students across the country to play a more active role in transforming their former schools, saying alumni associations have a critical responsibility in preserving the legacy of their institutions while investing in future generations.
He urged alumni to reconnect with their schools, mobilise resources and support improvements in infrastructure, mentorship and learning opportunities, noting that education remains one of the most meaningful investments anyone can make in society.
CS Kagwe also praised the M-PESA Foundation, led by Chairperson Joseph Ogutu, for committing to build and upgrade 500 schools nationwide over the next five years. He described the initiative as a transformative investment that will expand access to quality education while providing safe, modern and dignified learning spaces for thousands of learners.
“We are not building for ourselves; we are building for the generations to come. Every classroom we build today lays the foundation for a stronger, more prosperous Kenya tomorrow,” CS Kagwe said.
The CS further commended Education CS Julius Ogamba, teachers, parents, alumni and the Kihate community for embracing a shared vision that demonstrates how collaboration between government, the private sector and communities can transform education.
The KSh95 million Kihate Primary School project marks the first step in Safaricom Foundation’s nationwide school infrastructure programme, reinforcing the message that investing in schools is an investment in Kenya’s future.
