A section of residents from Nkabune in Meru County have raised concerns over the declining number of students at Nkabune Technical Training Institute, blaming the situation on the poor state of roads leading to the institution.
Speaking to journalists, the residents, led by Murithi Newton, claimed that development projects in the area had stalled and accused local leaders, including Imenti North MP Rahim Dawood, of neglecting their needs.
“Until now, we haven’t seen any development while our leaders whom we elected to serve us, including our MP Rahim Dawood, have completely abandoned us,” said Murithi.
The residents said repeated appeals for the improvement of roads connecting the area to the technical institute had allegedly gone unanswered. They further claimed that the poor infrastructure had negatively affected accessibility to the institution and the surrounding community.
According to the residents, the MP has allegedly dismissed their concerns in the past, prompting some of them to threaten to vote him out in the next General Election.
“Rahim said that we didn’t vote for him during the last general elections. Since this is what he says whenever we ask for developments, we will truly vote him out this time round,” said Murithi.
The residents also expressed dissatisfaction with the management of Nkabune Technical Training Institute, alleging that poor administration had contributed to the declining student population.
They argued that the reduction in student enrolment has had economic consequences for the local community, with many residents relying on students for income through businesses such as boda boda transport and other services.
“The reality is that the number of students continues to decline and this has a huge effect on us as the local community who depend on the students to earn a living through our services like the boda boda sector,” Murithi said.
Residents further alleged that relations between the institution’s leadership and the surrounding community had deteriorated, claiming their concerns had not been adequately addressed.
They appealed to the government to intervene and foster a better working relationship between the institution’s management and the local community to address the challenges facing the area
