Anxiety is mounting among parents in Mt. Elgon constituency, Bungoma County, after a classroom at Chepyuk Primary school collapsed due to heavy rains pounding the area ahead of the school reopening.
According to David Mwema, a classroom collapsed in the area due to the heavy downpour, a development that has left residents in panic, and parents are now demanding urgent intervention
Parents are now raising concerns over the quality of the infrastructure in local schools, noting that the affected classroom was constructed just two years ago but caved in due to poor workmanship.
Mwema claims that despite reporting the issue to area MP Fred Kapondi, no action has been taken to correct the mess for the safety of learners and teachers.
“We have raised complaints and even written letters to various education stakeholders. The building was not constructed well, and we fear that the lives of our children are at risk. The building should be accessed since it was built in the 2023/2024 financial year,” Mwema noted.
Kiplimo Kina, a parent, criticised the overall standard of the school buildings, urging the National Construction Authority (NCA) to step in and carry out an urgent structural assessment to avert disaster.
“This is the third time we are complaining about the substandard work done. It’s good luck the learners were on holiday, it could be a major disaster if learners were here,” he noted.
Titus Kirong', a parent, invited the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to launch investigations into possible misappropriation of public funds, questioning how resources allocated for the ill-fated classroom were utilised.
“We are also calling on the area MP to investigate and determine how funds were spent since learners could be at risk if the situation is not addressed promptly,” Kirong noted.