An unregistered teachers training college in Magarini sub-county could be closed for failure to meet operation costs.
Galana Teachers Training college was started by Kilifi governor Amason Kingi during his tenure as MP and is now run by the community.
The college, which sits on a 24 acre piece of land, is yet to be registered and has been surviving on Constituency Developments Funds.
It is the only higher learning institution in Magarini but lecturers say they have not been paid for six months so they cannot keep working.
This week, the five tutors from Magarini and Malindi issued a notice stating they would not be able to continue offering their services due to the financial constraints.
Most of them, particularly those from Malindi, said they did not have fare.
Galana Teachers Training College in Magarini as pictured on January 16, 2018. /Alphonce Gari
Committee members said even the two security men at the college have not been paid for six months and are surviving "only by the grace of God".
The school compound is bushy and some of the buildings were abandoned as only one lot is learning due to the crisis.
First year students, who reported in September last year, were sent home by the management since they could not be taught due to lack of funds.
Zuma Njole, the current officer in charge of the college, said the financial crisis had severely affected the institution.
"We cannot continue training the new lot because of the problem of funds. We are worried that the syllabus will not be completed without lecturers whose salaries have not been paid," he said.
“We depend entirely on the CDF. There is no other source of funds to run this facility. Debts have accumulated."
Galana Teachers Training College in Magarini as pictured on January 16, 2018. /Alphonce Gari
On Tuesday, Magarini MP Michael Kingi was forced to intervene after teachers threatened to down their tools for lack of pay.
The MP, together with area chief Katana Shillingi and MCA Elina Mbaru had to plead with the lecturers to continue working and promised to clear the debt of Sh480,000 in two weeks.
During their tour of the college, which is located at Bomani in Magarini ward, it emerged that 27 P1 teacher-students had fee balances and are expected to sit their final examinations in July.
Former Magarini MP Harrison Kombe reportedly built five classrooms and an administration block then directed the management to give a full scholarship to the first lot, courtesy of the CDF.
The current MP said if CDF funds are not released by the end of January, he will organise a harambee to clear the debts.
He also promised to ensure the school is registered and that it becomes an official government institution of higher learning.