Tim Wanyonyi hands over fully operational boreholes to ease water crisis in Westlands schools
Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi has handed over two fully operational boreholes at North Highridge Comprehensive and Secondary School and Westlands Comprehensive School, bringing to an end years of water shortages that had disrupted learning and strained school resources in Parklands/Highridge Ward.
The MP began his tour at North Highridge Comprehensive and Secondary School, where he commissioned a fully functional borehole and formally handed over four newly constructed classrooms at the secondary section.
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He later proceeded to Westlands Comprehensive School to commission another borehole and inspect the newly completed 20 Junior Secondary School (JSS) classrooms block.
The boreholes, equipped with pumps, electrical control systems and solar power installations, were drilled and installed during the Christmas holiday period while schools were closed, ensuring minimal disruption to learning. The projects were funded through partnerships spearheaded by Wanyonyi and his friends.
North Highridge Comprehensive and Secondary School has for years struggled with acute water shortages, relying on rationed supply and at times buying water from a neighbouring church at high cost. The challenge affected sanitation and interrupted learning.
At Westlands Comprehensive School, the situation was equally dire. The institution had accumulated huge water arrears from previous years and frequently resorted to buying water from bowsers to cater for its more than 2,500 learners.
Speaking at North Highridge during the handover, Wanyonyi said the boreholes would provide a lasting solution not only for the schools but also for the surrounding community.
“Water is life. With water, we have sanitation. Our children will have water to drink, to wash and to keep their school clean without any interruption to learning,” he said.
The MP noted that attempts to have the schools’ water bills waived by the county government had not succeeded, prompting him to seek alternative solutions through partnerships.
“When I came here, I was told the school was struggling with huge water bills. We urged the county to waive them, but it was not forthcoming. That is why we partnered to deliver these two boreholes at North Highridge and Westlands,” he said.
Wanyonyi reiterated his commitment to improving learning environments across Westlands, urging parents living near the schools to enrol their children locally to reduce transport costs. He also called on the community to protect the facilities and announced plans to establish a water kiosk to allow residents to benefit from the project while supporting its sustainability.
At Westlands Comprehensive School, the MP said the borehole marked the completion of a comprehensive facelift of the institution.
“When I first came here, we agreed the school needed a facelift. Today, we have refurbished classrooms, computer laboratories, a perimeter wall, a boarding complex, 20 new JSS classrooms and now a borehole. This completes the circle of development,” he said.
School heads welcomed the projects, terming them transformational. North Highridge Secondary School principal Dr Dorcas Sum said the borehole and new classrooms would help position the school as a model day school, while North Highridge Comprehensive head teacher Jane Muiruri said the intervention would be remembered for years to come.
Westlands Comprehensive School head teacher Ken Kyeva confirmed the borehole had undergone a successful 48-hour test pumping, saying the water was fresh and sufficient to meet the school’s needs.
The handover of the fully operational boreholes and new classrooms marks a significant milestone in addressing basic infrastructure challenges in public schools, reinforcing Wanyonyi’s focus on improving education standards and the welfare of learners in Westlands Constituency.
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