A dire education crisis is unfolding in Tharaka Constituency, where hundreds of learners attend classes in crumbling buildings with leaking roofs, cracked walls, and inadequate sanitation.
Six public schools in the area—Kathanga, Kiairanthi, Gatiriku, Gakuyu, and Kathandeni primary schools—are facing a severe lack of amenities, with pupils also exposed to risks such as snake attacks and the daily struggle for water.
At Kathanga Primary School, the state of disrepair is visible everywhere. Classrooms are barely standing, with pupils distracted by gaping holes in the walls and dust-filled air. Parents say the poor learning conditions make it nearly impossible for children to concentrate.
“Mtoto anaangalia ile mashimo imetoboka kwa ukuta, hasikii maneno ya mwalimu. Anaangalia ukuta na mawazo yote yako nje,” said Simon Mwari, a parent at the school.
Another parent, Moses Nthenya, lamented the unhygienic state of the classrooms.
“Vumbi imejaa mpaka kwa magoti. Mwalimu akienda nyumbani huwezi jua ni mwalimu. Huku ni ushagwani,” he said, referring to the dusty environment teachers and pupils endure daily.
Just a few metres away at Kiairanthi Primary School, an unfinished classroom has been partitioned with rusty iron sheets to accommodate pupils from several grades. Parents say the makeshift setup is a far cry from the quality education their children deserve.
“Ukiangalia hio si darasa, ni kama nyumba ya mwenda wazimu. Watoto wakitembelea shule zingine wanashangaa kama kweli huku ni Kenya,” said Benard Kimathi, a parent at Kiairanthi Primary School.
A spot check by Citizen TV revealed that the situation is replicated across six schools in Tharaka Constituency. Even dormitories are in a state of neglect. Pupils often trek up to eight kilometres daily to fetch water from River Tana, while parents are required to deliver at least 60 jerricans of water each term to sustain the schools.
The community’s frustration is further compounded by unreliable electricity supply. At Kathandeni Primary School, a transformer that was installed after political pledges now lies idle and dysfunctional.
“Mheshimiwa aliahidi na akatuletea transformer. Iliwaka kwa wiki moja na sasa imekaa tu hapo ikipiga kelele, hakuna kitu inafanya,” said a parent at the school.
Parents at Gatiriku Primary School voiced similar concerns, accusing local leaders of neglect.
“Watoto wanahangaika wanasoma kwa nyumba za matope. Upepo unazibomoa. Gitonga Murugara alisema atajenga darasa, sasa imeenda wapi?” questioned Atanas Rubia, a parent.
