Parents of Kanyamfwa Secondary School in Karachuonyo Constituency, Homa Bay County, are celebrating after the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration, Dr Raymond Omollo, committed more than KSh700,000 to clear outstanding school fees owed by students.
Omollo said no student should be forced to stay at home because of school fees, urging parents and teachers to work together to ensure learners remain in class and concentrate on their studies.
The PS spoke on Friday during a fundraising event at Kanyamfwa Secondary School aimed at supporting infrastructure development at the institution.
He challenged students, particularly candidates preparing to sit the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations, to post good results as a way of appreciating the sacrifices made by their parents, teachers and the government.
Omollo said education remained one of the most effective ways of transforming communities, urging students to embrace discipline, hard work and dedication.
“Today we have come here to celebrate and support you by making sure we get good infrastructure that would create a good atmosphere for you to excel. Now you are just 140 of you, and I hope you will remember this day because we are going to change the story of this school,” Omollo said.
He said the school’s 63 Form Four candidates had accumulated fee arrears of more than KSh400,000, while students in lower classes, including day scholars, owed more than KSh200,000.
The PS said he had offered to clear the outstanding balances and directed that no student should be sent home over unpaid fees.
“I offered to clear your balances. To the parents, no child should be sent home. The only reward you can give us is good results, and we will come back to celebrate your success,” he said.
Omollo also urged parents to take a more active role in their children’s education by regularly visiting the school and engaging teachers on the learners’ academic and overall development.
He said President William Ruto’s administration had prioritised education, noting that a significant portion of the national budget was allocated to the sector and that thousands of teachers had been recruited to address staffing shortages.
According to the PS, the government was also undertaking reforms aimed at making education more accessible from basic education to higher learning.
Beyond education, Omollo highlighted several government projects in Homa Bay County, including road and water infrastructure.
He said the Kodula-Gogo-Kanyamfwa-Pala road was at the procurement stage, with contractors expected on site, while construction of the Kadel-Kanyadhiang road, which stalled in 2018, had resumed.
He further said the Kanyamfwa Water Project, which is expected to benefit residents across Karachuonyo, was progressing.
Omollo also used the occasion to rally young people aged 18 and above to obtain national identity cards and register as voters.
He urged residents of the Luo community to support President Ruto’s administration, citing ongoing government projects in the region.
