Governor Kihika: Quality Early Education Is Key to Children's Future

Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika has underscored the critical role early education plays in shaping children’s future careers and overall development.

During the launch of the second tranche of the Nakuru County Bursary Fund for 2024/2025, Governor Kihika emphasized the importance of collaboration among education stakeholders.

In a speech read by Education Minister Zipporah Wambui, the Governor urged joint efforts to ensure children access quality education in a supportive, inclusive environment.

“The foundation of a child’s education determines their course in life. We must invest heavily in quality, accessible and affordable Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE),” she said.

The Governor highlighted key investments by her administration in infrastructure, teacher recruitment, and nutrition programs, initiatives she said have significantly improved enrollment and learning outcomes across the county.

So far, the county has hired 498 ECDE teachers on permanent and pensionable terms, raising the total number to 821. This, she noted, is aimed at strengthening teacher retention and service delivery in early learning centers.

Through the Uji program, a daily school porridge initiative, learner enrollment has risen from 59,000 to 65,000. To support the feeding program, the county has built 10 kitchens and constructed 69 toilets to improve hygiene and comfort for school-going children.

Governor Kihika also noted that 127 ECDE classrooms have been built, 16 rehabilitated, and 628 furnished with age-appropriate furniture.

She reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to expanding ECDE programs further, including scaling up the school feeding initiative and hiring more teachers to match rising demand.