Chaos in Samburu After MP’s Statue Erected at Girls’ School

Residents of Archers Post area and a section of parents at Uaso Girls Secondary School in Samburu East have staged protests over the erection of a statue of the area Member of Parliament, Jackson Lekumontare, within the school compound.

The protesters accuse those behind the project of misusing public funds meant for development, alleging the statue cost up to Ksh.15 million.

They are now calling on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to launch investigations into the matter.

During a visit to the school by Citizen TV, it was established that the statue has been erected a few metres from the institution’s main entrance, making it one of the first sights visitors encounter.

Area residents argue that the funds allegedly used for the statue could have been redirected to pressing needs, including education support for needy students.

“The biggest issue here is the need for that large amount of money to erect a statue inside the school. When you enter the compound, the first thing you meet is his statue.

Something that even our President has never done,” said David Lokia, a resident of the area.

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Lokia questioned the priorities behind the project, noting that national leaders have not erected personal statues in public institutions, even those they have helped develop.

Parents Raise Education Concerns

Parents echoed similar sentiments, expressing frustration over what they view as misplaced priorities amid widespread financial struggles affecting students.

“I’ve also heard that this statue costs Ksh.15 million, yet there are pupils and students who are tarmacking here with no fees to go to school,” said parent Lenkopito Lepereko.

He added that many students are unable to access bursaries for universities and colleges, arguing that such funds could have significantly changed their futures.

MP and School Dismiss Claims

However, Samburu East MP Jackson Lekumontare has denied any involvement in funding the statue or knowledge of its cost.

“Even I don’t know how much it is. I have no clue. We have never funded anything of that kind,” the MP said.

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The school administration has also dismissed the allegations, maintaining that the statue was funded entirely by the school and cost far less than claimed.

School Says Statue Cost Ksh.150,000

Uaso Girls Secondary School Principal Julia Lesupeer clarified that the statue was a decision made internally by the school as a way of appreciating the MP in his capacity as the school patron.

“We were the ones as a school who decided that we were going to appreciate the school patron in our own way,” said Lesupeer.

“It has cost only Ksh.150,000 using our own proceeds from the garden.”

According to the school leadership, the statue was meant to honour Lekumontare for initiating and supporting development projects at the institution.

Nonetheless, the decision has sparked public outrage and drawn calls for official scrutiny, turning what was intended as a gesture of appreciation into a growing controversy.

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The image shows Jackson Lekumontare
Samburu East MP
Image/JL/FB