Pupil publicly reprimands MP over dilapidated classrooms

Bureti MP Kibet Komingoi /HANDOUT

A primary school pupil in Kericho county has stirred national debate after publicly confronting her MP over the poor state of her school during a public event attended by top county leaders.

The pupil from Ngesumin Comprehensive School in Bureti constituency, made the remarks during a presentation at the school event that was attended by Governor Erick Mutai and Senator Aaron Cheruiyot.

Bureti MP Kibet Komingoi was also present.

In a video that has since gone viral on social media, the young pupil confidently called out the MP, asking him to acknowledge the condition of the school.

“Where are you?” she asked, prompting the legislator to stand up before the crowd.

She then pointed to the classroom structures behind her and described the hardships pupils endure daily.

“Look at me, look at the uniform I am wearing,” she said while addressing the MP directly. “Where you are standing is called Ngesumin. Take a look at the classes, take a look at that one. That is actually a class with no windows. Are there any? None. There is nothing.”

As the MP looked towards the classrooms, the pupil continued her appeal, saying the learning environment was unbearable for students.

“We have no tiles on the floor, we have nothing. Sometimes when we come to school, we are almost forced to carry blankets with us,” she said, drawing murmurs from the audience.

Despite the criticism, the pupil maintained a respectful tone and expressed hope that leaders would act.

“Your excellency, we love you a lot. We know you have plans, we believe in you, we trust in you. We know that you will renovate, but the problem is that we are becoming too impatient now,” she added.

The incident has reignited public discussion on the use of the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), which MPs manage to support development projects in their constituencies, particularly in schools.

NG-CDF has for years been used to construct and renovate classrooms, laboratories, libraries, dormitories and administration blocks in both primary and secondary schools. 

The fund also supports the provision of desks, sanitation facilities and the expansion of learning institutions to accommodate increasing enrolment.

MPs argue that the fund has helped bridge infrastructure gaps, particularly in rural and marginalised areas where schools often face challenges due to inadequate facilities.

In addition to infrastructure development, NG-CDF bursaries have enabled thousands of students from vulnerable families to remain in school.

The bursary programme targets learners who are unable to meet school fees requirements, reducing dropout rates and ensuring that children from disadvantaged backgrounds have an opportunity to complete their education.”