President William Ruto is said to have approved the construction of a Ksh155 million ($1.2 million) modern hostel at Kivaywa Boys High School in Lugari Constituency, Kakamega County, under the Affordable Housing Programme.

While the one-of-its-kind school project has excited local leadership, including Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera, as questions are raised about the focus of the compulsory housing programme that has seen money diverted to construction of markets and other social amenities that were originally not envisaged in the programme.

The hostel with a capacity of 120 cubicles will accommodate between 320 and 640 students hence easing accommodation challenges at the school.

Speaking during site handover ceremony to the contractor, Lunarscape, Nabwera lauded President Ruto for picking the school as a beneficiary of the Affordable Housing Programme, 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 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 Programme 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 per cent of the labour force will be sourced from the area. He also noted that the informal jua kali sector will be boosted as doors and windows for the hostel will be acquired from the local artisans.

School Principal Lichuma Lewis lauded the Affordable Housing Programme by the president for the initiative he said will immensely improve the school’s accommodation facilities.

“I want to sincerely thank the president and our Member of Parliament for the dormitory project with the capacity of 640 beds. We look forward to its completion. We should be able to support the Kenyan child.”

A member of the school’s board of management Jaluo Murunga 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.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Melechezedeck Ejakait