By Shaban Omar
Youth Affairs and Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya has issued a stern warning to individuals accused of grabbing public land belonging to learning institutions.
Speaking during a prize-giving ceremony at Kinango Boys Senior School in Kwale County, Mvurya said reports indicate that several people have encroached on land reserved for school expansion and development.
He noted that Kinango Boys Senior School and Mwavumbo Secondary School are among the institutions affected by the alleged land grabbing.
The CS directed local leaders and administrators to take firm action against the perpetrators, insisting that all public learning institutions must be safeguarded from encroachment.
“Kinango Deputy County Commissioner, we have given you enough authority to deal with those encroaching on school land not just in this institution but anywhere within your jurisdiction,” he said.
He emphasized that protecting public property is crucial to ensuring uninterrupted learning and enabling future development in schools across the county.
Mvurya said communities or the government often donate land to schools to promote development and provide a conducive learning environment.
He questioned why some individuals had chosen to prey on such land, terming the behavior greedy and unacceptable.
The CS warned those laying claim to public property to desist immediately.
“Go look for land somewhere else. Public land is a no-go zone,” he said.
He further directed the Kinango Boys Senior School administration to work closely with the county government and surveyors to ensure the institution’s land is properly demarcated and fenced off.
He said the move would not only protect the school but also pave the way for structured development.
Mvurya emphasized that the available land must be used prudently to expand facilities and improve learning standards.
He noted that since the school was recently elevated to a C1 category, its infrastructure and growth must align with expectations of institutions aspiring toward national school status.
“You are now a C1 institution. Begin to operate like a national school and put in place infrastructure that matches the standards expected of your new status,” he said.
Mvurya also cautioned school heads against involving themselves in politics, saying public institutions must be respected and should not be turned into political battlegrounds.
He said some politicians were tarnishing the reputation of schools, a trend that undermines learning and slows down institutional growth.
Mvurya urged school administrators to remain focused on their core mandate of delivering quality education and to collaborate with the government to secure a better future for learners.
“We want our children to get a good education and eventually become successful so they can support their families. For that to happen, we need you to work closely with the government,” he said.
