Hundreds of learners in Kiambu Constituency are set to benefit from improved learning facilities and enhanced access to education following the commissioning of newly renovated projects at Riara Primary School and Riara Secondary School, alongside continued support through the constituency’s Free Day Secondary School Education Initiative.
The projects were officially launched during a thanksgiving mass at Riara Catholic Church led by Father Paul Maichuhie, bringing together parents, teachers, students, community leaders, and education stakeholders.
Speaking during the event, Kiambu Member of Parliament Machua Waithaka reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that every child in the constituency has access to quality education regardless of their family’s financial circumstances.
As part of the occasion, the legislator presented a bursary cheque to Riara Secondary School under the Free Day Secondary School Education Initiative, a programme that has now entered its second year. According to Waithaka, the initiative has successfully made all day secondary schools within Kiambu Constituency completely free for learners.
“Our Free Day Secondary School Initiative aims to ensure that no child is denied access to education because of financial challenges. Through this programme, we are easing the burden on parents and giving our learners an opportunity to pursue their dreams with confidence,” he said.
The MP urged parents, guardians, and local administrators to ensure that all school-age children are enrolled and retained in school, noting that the elimination of school fees in day secondary schools removes one of the major barriers to education.
The event also marked the completion of extensive renovation works at Riara Primary and Riara Secondary schools. The upgrades included the installation of new windows and doors, improved roofing, classroom tiling, landscaping, modern blackboards, and the construction of a modern ablution block.
Waithaka said the investments are intended to create a safe, dignified, and conducive environment for learning while improving the overall quality of education infrastructure in the constituency.
“Our leadership remains firmly committed to ensuring that every child in Kiambu Constituency learns in a safe, dignified, and conducive environment,” he said.
Parents attending the event praised the Free Day Secondary School programme, describing it as a major relief amid rising economic challenges.
One parent, Peter Kimani, shared his personal experience, explaining that his child had continued attending school without being sent home for fees. He contrasted the programme with traditional bursary schemes, saying the initiative had significantly reduced the financial pressure on families and enabled students to remain focused on their studies.
Kimani commended the constituency leadership for implementing a programme that directly addresses educational barriers and supports vulnerable households.
The day’s activities also included an inspection tour of ongoing development projects at Ting’ang’a Model Primary School. Construction works currently underway include new classrooms fitted with tiled floors, modern blackboards, new windows and doors, and improved roofing. Additional plans include cabro paving, the construction of a modern school gate, and a perimeter wall to enhance security.
According to Waithaka, the upgrades are designed to provide a safe and inspiring learning environment for both learners and teachers while raising the standards of public education facilities across the constituency.
In addition to the education projects, the MP joined students, parents, and residents in commissioning the newly tarmacked Turitu–Riara Catholic–Ndumberi Road.
The road serves Riara Primary School, Riara Secondary School, Loreto Girls, and Loreto Primary School, while also extending to Kiratina. Residents say the improved road network will significantly enhance mobility, reduce transport challenges, and improve access to schools and neighbouring communities.
The project also included the expansion and reconstruction of a previously narrow bridge that had posed safety concerns for motorists and pedestrians for many years.
Father Paul Maichuhie blessed both the educational facilities and the road infrastructure during the commissioning ceremonies, offering prayers for continued development and prosperity within the community.
The series of projects reflects a broader effort by the constituency leadership to strengthen educational opportunities, improve public infrastructure, and enhance service delivery for residents.
With renovated schools, tuition-free day secondary education, upgraded roads, and ongoing infrastructure investments, local leaders and residents expressed optimism that the initiatives will contribute to better educational outcomes and improved living standards throughout Kiambu Constituency.
