Aviation and Aerospace Development Principal Secretary Teresia Mbaika officially launched the Sh150 million hostel project at Kilungu Kenya Methodist Theological College (KMTC) in Makueni County on Friday, marking the start of construction for the facility intended to address chronic student housing shortages. The project, announced during a groundbreaking ceremony, will provide additional dormitory space to accommodate more students, with Mbaika stating the contractor has already begun work on-site. 'The hostels will close the existing accommodation gap once completed,' she said, emphasizing the government's commitment to improving educational infrastructure in the region.
Mbaika directly criticized Kaiti Member of Parliament Joshua Kimilu for allegedly delaying the project, despite the government having allocated Sh65 million that remains unaccounted for. She noted that the college should have admitted its second or third cohort of students by now if the project had been completed on time, as originally planned. 'This project has been delayed for seven years, but God has given us the opportunity to be in the current government, and we will help our people, even with electricity connection to homesteads,' Mbaika stated, highlighting the government's broader efforts to revive stalled initiatives in the area.
The principal secretary reiterated that the Kenya Kwanza government is prioritizing the revival of stalled projects and the implementation of new development programs to improve local livelihoods. While the focus remains on the hostel construction, Mbaika's remarks underscored the administration's broader agenda to address long-standing infrastructure and educational challenges in Makueni County. The project's completion is expected to directly benefit thousands of students seeking access to technical and vocational training, a key component of the government's education strategy.
The controversy surrounding the delayed project highlights systemic challenges in public infrastructure management, with Mbaika's public criticism of Kimilu reflecting the political dimensions of such initiatives. The Sh150 million investment underscores the government's recognition of the need for expanded educational facilities, particularly in regions with growing demand for technical education. As construction progresses, stakeholders will be closely monitoring whether the project meets its timelines and delivers on its promise to enhance access to quality training opportunities for students in the area.