Kenyan legislators Robert Pukose (Endebess), Narok Governor Samuel Ole-Tunai and deputy President William Ruto’s personal assistant Farouk Kibet, arrived in Sebei, Uganda, on on Saturday to raise funds for construction of three schools in each of the three districts in the sub-region.
Speaking to Ugandan Daily Monitor newspaper on Friday, Mr Anthony Kuka Cherotich, the political assistant in charge of mobilization at State House in Kampala and who organised the visit, confirmed he was in Sebei preparing for the Kenyan politicians.
CLEAR AIRSPACE
“It is true Mr Pukose, Mr Kibet and Mr Tunai are coming here tomorrow (Saturday). We are trying to clear the airspace, but we are getting a few challenges. Nonetheless, they will still come and we shall hold gatherings in the three districts attended by area MPs and other leaders,” Mr Kuka said.
Mr Pukose and Trans-Nzoia Senator Henry Ole-Ndiema were in Kapchorwa District on December 9 when President Museveni was canvassing votes in the sub-region.
Mr Kuka said the three officials were in Sebei on Mr Ruto’s request, but remained non-committal on reports that the officials were bringing Kshs4.5m (about Shs151m) as part of the Kshs6m (about Shs200m) pledge by the Kenyan politicians for construction of schools.
“Kshs1.5 million (Shs51m) was already advanced for the construction of the schools. The balance of Kshs4.5m will be used for roofing and completing the works,” a source close to the preparations told this newspaper.
IMPROVE SECURITY
During meetings between the Sabiny community in Kampala and NRM legislators from Sebei in Eldoret and Nairobi late last year, Kenyan deputy President Mr Ruto agreed to improve border security and school standards in Kapkoros in Bukwo, Ngenge in Kween and Tumbaboi in Kapchorwa.
Construction of the three schools is already underway.
Mr Joseph Chemonges Lasto, the school board chair for Tumbaboi, said they were expecting Shs33 million to continue with the construction works last month.
“A classroom in our setting costs up to Shs26m and the four classroom blocks would cost us up to Shs102m yet Mr Ruto pledged only Shs66 million for the whole process,” he said.
The school volunteer head teacher, Mr Davis Kiplangat, said: “We are just at a stage of completing the foundation level and all materials have been secured.”
Ms Juliet Labu, a community member, is so excited about the school.
NO LONGER SUFFER
“Our children will no longer suffer like some of us who became victims of early marriage because of no secondary school. This is a great miracle. It is like manner from heaven. We were hardly a year old when we got the offer,” she said.
However, critics have questioned Mr Ruto’s involvement in Uganda’s affairs just days to the general election. In December, Mr Ruto said his involvement in Sebei affairs was purely developmental and not political.
Sebei- largely seen as a traditional stronghold of President Museveni – has over the last one month been a centre of attention after reports of changed allegiance emerged.
A few days after police teargassed supporters of FDC presidential candidate Kizza Besigye in Teriet camp for the displaced people last month, the police chief Gen Kale Kayihura rushed to the area to compensate the victims.
The Nairobi News
UM– USEKE.RW
