Kirinyaga County has continued to register a steady increase in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) enrolment, a trend attributed to sustained investments in school infrastructure, improved service delivery and better welfare for teachers.
Governor Anne Waiguru noted that enrolment in ECDE learning centres has grown from 13,280 learners in 2017 to 16,398 learners in 2025. She said the growth reflects increased parental confidence in public ECDE centres as well as improved retention of young learners.
She added that since 2017, the county government has carried out extensive upgrades of ECDE classrooms, replacing temporary and unsafe structures with modern, child-friendly learning facilities across Kirinyaga County.
Through the Department of Education and Public Service, the county government has also distributed new furniture, teaching and learning materials, water tanks and play equipment to ECDE centres. In addition, free uniforms have been provided to more than 15,000 learners across the county.
In 2024, the Kirinyaga county government launched a programme to offer free ECDE uniforms to all learners. The initiative has been described as a game changer by both teachers and parents, as it has eased the financial burden on families and boosted confidence in public ECDE learning centres.
These interventions, together with the employment and absorption of trained ECDE teachers into the Permanent and Pensionable scheme, have greatly improved access, quality of learning and overall service delivery in public ECDE centres.
Over the years, Governor Waiguru’s administration has constructed about 40 new classrooms and renovated an additional 45, significantly enhancing the learning and teaching environment.
Governor Waiguru said her administration views education as a critical tool for individual empowerment and a key driver of social transformation, emphasizing that early investment in children provides a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
“We are committed to supporting our children because we believe every child deserves an opportunity to realise their full potential, regardless of their circumstances. Our public ECDE centres are now recording higher enrolment than private schools due to the transformation we have undertaken,” Waiguru said.
Parents at Mugaa Primary School have also welcomed the improvements. PP1 parent Susan Wakuthi recalled the burden parents previously faced in providing desks and chairs for their children.
“We used to carry desks and chairs to school so that our children could have somewhere to sit. If you did not bring one, your child would lack space. With the support of the Kirinyaga County Government, furniture has now been provided, easing the burden on parents. Our children have also received books, pencils and uniforms, which many parents could not afford. Children are no longer sent home due to lack of uniform or dirty clothes,” Wakuthi said.
Another parent, Eric Wakugutha, noted that the new classroom and improved staffing have positively impacted attendance and learning outcomes.
“The ECDE class has really helped because earlier on our children had to wake up very early and walk long distances, which was stressful for both parents and children. The new classrooms are well ventilated and comfortable, so children no longer fall sick or sleep in class, and the teachers are now more advanced,” he said.
By David Wandeto
