The Government is set to construct a Sh155 million modern hostel at Kivaywa Boys High School in Lugari Constituency, Kakamega County, under the Affordable Housing Program.
The hostel with a capacity of 120 cubicles will accommodate between 320 and 640 students hence easing accommodation challenges at the school.
Speaking during the site handover event to the contractor Lunarscape, Lugari law maker Nabii Nabwera lauded President William Ruto for picking the school as a beneficiary of the Affordable Housing Program, saying the project will play a great deal in uplifting its status.
He said: “I want to thank the President for promising the project and keeping his word. This is a big project that can only be found in universities. Once complete it will be a modern hostel fully installed with hot water showers for students and a backup generator whenever there is a power outage.
“However, I have appealed to the housing team to divert the generator installation funds to the ongoing solar power project at the institution so that it can generate adequate power that can even be used in its kitchen for cooking.
“I have also asked them to add a water component to the project so that the school can have an adequate water supply that can be extended to the surrounding communities.”
Nabwera reminded his constituents that he is on course to fulfilling his pre-election pledges of generally transforming Lugari, improving the education standards, improving the infrastructure and increasing electricity connectivity to the locals.
Affordable Housing Program Western Region lead Rodgers Wakhungu disclosed that once complete the hostel will have a capacity of 320 beds if the school chooses to have two students per cubicle or 640 beds if it opts to have four students per cubicle.
He said the project will offer numerous job opportunities to Kivaywa residents as 70 percent of the labour force will be sourced from the area.
He also noted that the informal juakali sector will be boosted as doors and windows for the hostel will be acquired from the local artisans.
The school principal Lichuma Lewis lauded the Affordable Housing Program under the stewardship of the president for the initiative which will immensely improve the school’s accommodation facilities.
“I want to sincerely thank the president and our Member of Parliament for gifting our school the dormitory project with a capacity of 640 beds. We look forward to its completion and once we get enrollment, we should be able to support the Kenyan child.
Dr. Jaluo Murunga a member of the school’s Board of Management said the project will be a milestone achievement for the school saying the parents alone cannot undertake such a huge project even if they are given 20 years.
By Melechezedeck Ejakait
