- Residents of Samburu East expressed concern about the alleged misuse of KSh 15 million for a statue of a member of parliament instead of educational support
- The Member of Parliament at the center of the allegations refused to fund the project despite calls for an investigation into the alleged multi-million shillings project.
- The principal explained the cost of the statue and the source of its funding while defending the intention of the symbol
Residents of Archers Post and parents of Uaso Girls’ High School have raised concerns about the construction of a statue of Samburu East MP Jackson Lekumontare at the educational institution.
Source: Facebook
Angry residents accused those behind the statue of misusing public funds meant for development in praising the MP.
“The biggest issue is the money used to build the statue in the school. It is the first reception when you arrive at the school. Even our president, whom we love, has never put his image on money, in the White House, in the schools he is building, or even in affordable housing projects,” said David Lokia, a resident.
Parents echoed similar frustrations, saying the money could be better directed toward tuition and academic support.
They claimed that KSh 15 million was spent on the statue.
“I heard this statue cost KSh 15 million, but the children here are struggling. They don’t get aid for college or university studies. If that money was given to the students, we would be further ahead,” said Lenkopito Lepereko, a parent.
Did MP Lekumontare build his statue in school?
A source within the school, who asked not to be named, claimed that the management board misappropriated school fees, insisting that the disputed amount was KSh 15 million.
However, Lekumontare has denied the allegations, denying any involvement in the project or its funding.
“I don’t even know what the cost is. We have never financed anything of that kind,” said the member of parliament.
Sources close to the MP explained further that his office had no information about the construction and had no role in handing over or funding the statue.
Source: Facebook
Why was the statue of Lekumontare built in the school?
The school management defended the move, saying that the statue was a sign of appreciation for the role of the member of parliament in establishing prominent projects in the school and supporting the institution.
He explained that the statue cost KSh 150,000, unlike the figure of KSh 15 million which had angered the residents.
“We, as a school, decided to appreciate our patron in our own way. We thought we would honor him by putting up the statue, and it only cost KSh 150,000, financed through the income from our school garden,” said Principal Julia Lesupeer.
Despite the school’s explanation, the controversy has attracted a lot of attention, with residents and parents now calling on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate the matter.
Did the Nakuru sculptor create the statue of Raila?
Elsewhere, self-taught sculptor Philemon Kipruto, unveiled a new statue in honor of the late former prime minister Raila Odinga a few weeks after his death.
The striking photo showed Raila in his business attire: light blue jacket, white shirt, and red tie. A plain white cap is placed on his head, and his left hand holds a flying hand, a symbol of his long-standing political identity.
The resident artist Nakuru he created the work as a tribute to Raila, whose death deeply saddened millions in Kenya and elsewhere.
Kipruto previously became famous for his sculptures Faith Kipyegon and President William Ruto.
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