Uriri Member of Parliament Eng. Mark Nyamita, has announced an ambitious school solarisation programme targeting learning institutions across Uriri Constituency, following a fire incident that destroyed a dormitory at Bware Mixed Secondary School.
Speaking when he visited the school to assess the damage caused by the inferno, Nyamita said the programme seeks to reduce energy costs in schools and minimize risks of fire outbreaks caused by electrical faults.
The dormitory, which accommodated about 100 students, was razed down by fire earlier in the week after what was suspected to be an electrical fault, leaving students counting huge losses.
The Legislator said Bware Mixed Secondary School had been enlisted among the first batch of 10 schools set to benefit from the solarisation initiative under the constituency’s green energy programme.
“We have rolled-out school solarization program and this school is among the first 10 beneficiaries of the program” said the MP.
He noted that another 10 schools will be added in the next financial year as the programme expands across the entire constituency.
Nyamita said the solar panels for Bware Mixed School had already been delivered, adding that the institution would primarily rely on solar power while electricity from Kenya Power would serve as a secondary source.
According to the MP, the initiative will help schools cut down on rising electricity bills while enhancing safety in school buildings.
He further directed the school administration to always undertake electrical integrity checks in all buildings to ensure proper safety measures are installed to prevent future fire incidents.
The MP also donated mattresses and blankets to all affected students and provided iron sheets meant for re-roofing the destroyed dormitory.
“Today we donated some assorted items to help restore normal. Life to the students affected by the fire incident and also help the school get stability,” he outlined.
However, he noted that the building had already been condemned and announced that the school would receive Sh500,000 to support students in replacing uniforms, toiletries and other personal effects lost in the fire.
Nyamita also pledged to engage education stakeholders over the school’s declining academic performance and teacher shortage, saying the institution requires additional teachers in key subjects.
The Legislator blamed the Migori County Government for allegedly failing to respond promptly to the disaster, terming the current administration incompetent.
He claimed that despite allocations for emergency response in the county budget every year, residents continue to suffer whenever disasters strike.
“The current county administration has failed Migori residents. Incidences like this should not happen when there are funds allocated to counter such. I am shocked that at this time there is still no response from the county,“ he decried.
Nyamita, who has declared interest in the Migori gubernatorial seat in 2027, said emergency response and disaster preparedness would be given priority under his leadership.
He was accompanied by Peter Mijungu, the Member of County Assembly of West Kanyamkago and CPA Evance Ogutu, who is an aspirant for Urir Constituency seat come 2027.
Mr Mijungu faulted the County government over what he termed weak disaster response mechanisms and challenged the county assembly to strengthen oversight on the utilization of emergency funds.
Similarly, CPA Ogutu lauded the solarisation programme, saying the green energy initiative would help reduce risks associated with electrical faults in schools while lowering operational costs.
By Polycarp Ochieng and George Agimba
