Nairobi: The Safaricom Foundation has pledged to further support the Kenyan government by rehabilitating schools that host children with disabilities and hospitals in each county. This commitment was highlighted during the handover ceremony of three classrooms and an office at Kitere Primary School in Rongo Sub-County.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Chief Consumer Business Officer at Safaricom, Fawzia Ali-Kimanthi, emphasized the foundation's ongoing collaboration with the Ministries of Education and Health. The focus remains on infrastructure development to enhance societal welfare. The Sh2.5 million project, which included the construction of three Early Childhood Education (ECD) classes and an office at Kitere Primary School, was funded by the Safaricom Foundation and Kepher Okoth. Okoth is a resident of Kitere and the Sh5 million grand winner of the 'shine kenya shinda mamili kama bingwa' competition held by Safaricom in 2024.
Fawzia Ali-Kimanthi noted that 31 communities across Kenya have benefited from the projects initiated by the 31 millionaires of the 'Shida Mamili Promotion'. She highlighted education as a key pillar supported by Safaricom, acknowledging the Ministry of Education's efforts to provide an enabling environment for learning, with current enrolment rates reaching approximately 99 percent.
With an impact on about five million Kenyans, the Safaricom Foundation attributes its milestones to the support of 50 million Kenyans who engage with the company daily. Kepher Okoth expressed that the Kitere Primary School project will offer ECD children an enhanced learning and play experience.
John Kodongo, the Head of Institution at Kitere Comprehensive School, expressed gratitude to Okoth and the Safaricom Foundation for their contributions, which have positively impacted the learners. The newly constructed ECD classes are equipped with 30 tables and 90 chairs, benefiting the 140 ECD learners currently enrolled.
Kodongo also appealed for additional partners to join the initiative to further improve infrastructure in primary schools, thereby enhancing learning activities for younger students.