Juja: Residents of hyenas-infested Nyacaba area, Juja Sub County who lived with risks of attacks by the beasts are relieved after the opening of a new primary school in the area.
According to Kenya News Agency, St George Flat Primary School constructed by the NG-CDF comes as a boost to young learners who used to walk for kilometers to get to school. Several children have fallen victim to these marauding beasts with parents living in constant fear while escorting their children to school in the early morning darkness.
Several learners have since enrolled in the school during the Term 2 opening before its official opening Tuesday. Speaking during its opening, area MP George Koimburi said the construction of a secondary school adjacent to the primary school was underway and would be completed in three months’ time. The MP, who also issued bursary cheques to parents, emphasized his commitment to transforming the area through strategic development.
‘This is more than just infrastructure but about saving lives and empowering our children through accessible, safe education,’ said Koimburi. Other infrastructural development that have been undertaken in the area include the construction of three Early Childhood Development (ECD) classrooms to ease access to early education in the area. ‘Even our youngest children, who were equally at risk, will now learn safely and closer to home,’ he remarked.
Parents expressed their reprieve and lauded the initiative saying they would no longer have to wake up at 4am to escort their children through danger to school. Led by Patricia Kamau, they said it has been stressful for parents and children passing through the hyena zones in darkness to and from school. ‘This is a godsend. We no longer have to wake up at 4 a.m. to escort our children through danger. The school is right here in our neighborhood,’ said the mother of three.
Wainaina Kiburuti, another parent, echoed her sentiments, saying their children’s lives and futures have been secured. Hyena attacks in Nyacaba have been a common occurrence with several people, young and old, falling victim to the marauding animals. Residents have been up in arms with the local administration and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) calling on them to relocate the animals to the nearby Ol Donyo Sabuk Game reserve.