A proposal to excise part of Kinoru Primary School land to pave the way for the construction of a sub-county administrative headquarters and police post sharply divided residents during a public participation forum, with Imenti North MP Rahim Dawood defending the project as vital for security and service delivery while the school’s Board of Management rejected the planned takeover of its land.
The public participation forum, moderated by Deputy County Commissioner Ondilia Ndeti at Kinoru Youth Empowerment Social Hall, brought together government officials, education stakeholders and residents to deliberate on the proposed excision of part of the school’s land.
Dawood dismissed opposition to the project as politically motivated, accusing his rivals of misleading residents for their own interests.
“My opponents are against these developments for their own political interests,” Dawood said.
The MP said he had already allocated Sh5 million for the construction of the police post and administrative offices, insisting the facilities would improve security and bring government services closer to residents.
“Let us agree because we all want the school to grow. I have undertaken more development projects at this school than in many other schools in North Imenti,” he said.
“I have heard my opponents demanding that the funds meant for the administrative units be relocated to Thuura. They have ill motives to deny you development. Stop being lied to by politicians. If you do not want this development, I can take the money elsewhere. The project will improve security and bring government services closer to wananchi. You will have a chief near you and police officers readily available.”
However, Kinoru Primary School Board of Management Chairman Captain Paul Rukaria said the institution could not surrender part of its land, arguing the remaining acreage was already inadequate for the four schools operating within the compound.
“We are here for a public participation over the excision of Kinoru Primary School land at Makutano to allow the construction of a sub-county headquarters. Our position is that the remaining 10 acres host an ECDE centre, the primary school, junior secondary school and Kinoru Day Secondary School. All these children use one playground,” Rukaria said.
He said the school expected increased enrolment under the Competency-Based Curriculum, making additional classrooms and facilities inevitable.
“We anticipate the school will grow and we will need to expand the institution with more streams. The little land remaining is very small. We are not against development or the construction of administrative headquarters and a police station, but let them seek land from somewhere else and leave our land for future use by the school,” he said.
The proposal has attracted opposition from some parents and sections of the community, who recently staged demonstrations against plans to use part of the school’s land for the government project.
Municipality MCA Caleb Mutethia called for dialogue, saying the community should seek a solution that accommodates both development and the school’s future needs.
“We must agree as a community. The project is meant to help the community and if we don’t support it, we stand to lose. We need a middle ground where the community benefits,” Mutethia said.
He said he had listened to concerns raised by the Board of Management and community representatives but maintained the project would deliver significant benefits.
“As much as we are growing, we must carefully handle the problem before us. I have taken into consideration the sentiments by Captain Rukaria and the community representatives, but I can guarantee the project is of great value. Our children will need more facilities in future, but we should also ask ourselves how many parcels of public land have ended up in the hands of grabbers. We should not oppose development because of politics,” he said.
Meru County Chief Officer for Lands Haron Mbai urged adherence to planning laws, saying public land should be managed in a manner that serves the wider public interest.
“All public land must be protected and used for purposes that serve the interests of the community. The county government is the planning authority and my advice is that the law must be followed when planning land belonging to educational institutions. We have to plan for that land, and no one should oppose development,” Mbai said.
