Ruto pledges public school in Ngando before next term

Deputy President William Ruto yesterday directed the State department of Public Works to build a public school in Dagoretti’s Ngando area before the beginning of the next school term.

He issued the directive a day after the death of seven pupils following the collapse of a classroom at Precious Talents School.

“State department of Public Works will work with the Board of Lenana School to put up a public primary school to be ready by next term to cater for the children of Ngando area where the tragedy occurred. The process kicked off this morning (Tuesday) in earnest,” Ruto posted on his twitter account.

Sub-standard

When he visited the scene of the disaster on Monday, Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha said the government would identify land for the establishment of a public school in the area.

Residents had told the CS that the closest public primary school in Ngando was about three kilometres away, a situation that left many parents with no choice but enroll their children in sub-standard, but expensive, private institutions.

Yesterday, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations detectives visited the Urban Planning Department at City Hall and questioned some officials concerning the collapsed structure.

Reports said the probe had narrowed down to two suspects, said to have approved the structure.

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko said on Monday that he had received complaints about the Nairobi City County Planning Department. 

He said an audit had exposed activities of officials who had been running an extortion ring.