NAIROBI, Kenya, May 6 – Parents at Kadawa Primary School in Mwea, Kirinyaga County staged protests on Wednesday after Kirinyaga Woman Representative Maina Njeri was reportedly blocked from accessing the school to commission newly constructed classrooms.
The parents, some holding twigs and wailing, gathered at the school compound in a charged demonstration, demanding that the classrooms be officially handed over for use by learners.
The protest unfolded amid claims of police interference, with the situation quickly escalating into a standoff between local authorities, school management and political leaders.
“Despite heavy police intimidation, with instructions issued to the headteacher, Kadawa Primary School that we should not step foot in that institution to prevent possible handing over of the 5 ultra-modern classrooms that I lobbied for, we have today addressed parents and at their demand,” she said in a statement on Facebook.
According to Njeri, efforts to access the school were thwarted despite prior plans to preside over the handover of a five-classroom unit she says she lobbied for during her tenure in the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) committee.
Before the event, she had expressed anticipation, describing the facility as a fully equipped, ultra-modern block with tiled floors, lockers and chairs.
She said the classrooms were designed to provide learners with a safe and dignified environment, adding that access to quality infrastructure was critical for children’s education.
However, the planned commissioning did not proceed as expected.
Despite the blockade, she said she went ahead to address parents and, at their insistence, declared the classrooms officially launched.
“I shall not be intimidated in my duties, and I will launch every project I have lobbied for without fear,” she said.
She further criticised what she termed as political interference, accusing leaders aligned to the government of attempting to delay the handover process.
Njeri maintained that development projects should remain non-partisan and serve the interests of the public.
“Any initiative is an initiative of the people, by the people and for the people. I have no intention to entertain political theatrics,” she added.
The protests drew the attention of local leaders, including Kirinyaga Senator James Murango, who was present during the incident.
