By Kenneth Wekesa, Kakamega
Former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala has launched a blistering attack over the state of St. Kizito Shianjetso Primary School ECD Centre in Idakho South, Ikolomani, accusing the county leadership of turning a blind eye to the plight of young children.
Malala says the shocking condition of the school exposes what he describes as a failure by leaders to respond to basic needs affecting ordinary residents.The ECD centre’s roof was blown off in February this year.
Seven months later, Malala says, the children are still waiting for the facility to be restored, leaving them exposed to harsh weather and without a decent environment in which to learn.
Photo|St Kizito Shianjetso Primary School main entrance and signpost
But the roof is only part of the crisis.Malala has raised fresh alarm over sanitation at the institution, saying the entire school is operating with only one block of toilets shared by the ECD and primary sections.
The result, he says, is long queues and a situation that compromises children’s privacy, dignity and wellbeing.Even more worrying is the condition of the teachers’ toilet, which Malala says is dangerously unstable and could pose a serious safety risk.
Photo|An ECDE classroom at St Kizito Shianjetso Primary School
“Must we wait for a tragedy before someone takes action?” he asked.
Malala said the Shianjetso crisis should not be treated as a political contest, insisting that the safety and dignity of children must come first.
“This is not about politics. It is about our children. It is about dignity. It is about the right of every child to learn in a safe and decent environment,” he said.
He directly challenged Governor Fernandes Barasa to explain why the reported problems at the school have remained unresolved for months.
Malala also questioned the county administration’s spending priorities, alleging that money is available for political mobilisation and publicity while basic infrastructure at an ECD centre remains unattended.
“Where does Barasa get money for goons, bloggers and funeral trumpet blowers and fail to get the same money to fix such ECD centres?” Malala asked.
Photo|A glimpse of Toilets at St Kizito Shianjetso Primary School in Ikolomani Subcounty
His remarks are likely to intensify scrutiny of the county government’s response to deteriorating public facilities, particularly those serving young children.
Malala also put Idakho South MCA Stephene Mukala on the spot, urging him to use his position to demand answers and push for immediate intervention.
“The people elected you to speak for them. This is one of those moments when your voice must be heard. Demand answers. Demand action,” he said.
For the children of Shianjetso, however, the political exchanges offer little comfort.Their classroom roof remains a symbol of a problem that Malala says should never have been allowed to linger for seven months while the condition of the school’s sanitation facilities raises further questions about the safety and dignity of learners.The key question now is simple: When will Shianjetso’s children get the safe and decent learning environment they deserve?