Eng. Wainaina unveils his agenda in education

Some school children in one f the Thika schools carrying some of the mattresses donated by Jungle Foundations to pre-school units in an effort to imrove their learning conditions. During his tour in schools yesterday, Wainaina Wa Jungle promised to work with all stakeholders to improve the education standards in the region.

Thika Town Constituency candidate on an independent ticket Eng. Patrick Wainaina Wa Jungle has underscored the importance of education in promoting the wellbeing of the less privileged in the society.

Speaking during a tour of schools within the constituency, Wainaina pointed out that education had the capacity to change the constituency and the country’s fortunes for the better and delivering a stronger economy.

“Each and every child deserves quality education and opportunities to succeed. My emphasis in this sector for the last 10 years reaffirms my vision and ambition to create the best environment for education and training institutions in the area. My dream is to see them become the best at providing opportunities for our children, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds,” said Wainaina.

He added that he aimed at ensuring that students in middle-level colleges and polytechnic obtained the best skills and knowledge to support the growing economy.

“We want to ensure that learners are equipped with the skills and knowledge that they need to achieve their potential and to participate fully in society and the economy. In doing so, we are fully aware of the environment in which we operate and we will respond appropriately to the opportunities and challenges this presents,” he said.

Wainaina stressed the need to work with all stakeholders in the sector for a comprehensive approach to better support school children, their families and their neighborhoods through a system-wide adoption of the public schools strategy.

“Our children depend on all of us to gain the tools necessary for success. Because of this, we need to work together on their behalf, particularly as families and communities are still struggling during these difficult economic times. This very important goal cannot be achieved through classroom experience alone, but requires the delivery of primary services, particularly in economically distressed communities,” said Wainaina.

The businessman said that he intended to redefine the relationships and the responsibilities between the school community and other stakeholders in an effort to have a greater impact on the lives of the students and their families.

“A child struggles much more to focus on a lesson if he’s hungry or his family is in unstable housing. We need to come up with new strategies and approaches to help overcome the obstacles that can stand in the way of a child’s ability to come to school, ready to learn — and schools can’t do that important work alone. We must ensure that all stakeholders that have an impact on children’s lives are aligned to support these kids. We need to organise systems around children, and not the other way around,” he explained.

On matters politics, Wainaina castigated some of dirty tactics being applied by one of his opponents who were sending people to various areas to hoodwink them that he was organising a rally. This ploy, he said, was intended to brand him as a liar every time he failed to turn up for those fake meetings.

“It is sad that one of my competitors have stooped so low in politics to a level of sending their people to cheat residents that I will be attending political rallies that I even don’t know of. They are gathering people from morning and keeping them glued to the venue for long hours then incite them against me by branding me a liar and someone who cannot be trusted. This is a leader with no agenda for the people and can only survive in dirty politics and propaganda,” he said.

He asked his supporters to ignore anyone who came to make statements on his behalf unless they were his accredited assistants or were in his official branded vehicles. He asked the residents to always confirm with him or his personal assistant, every time some came round claiming that he was to hold any rally or function in a particular area.

“Ignore all these people and their dirty tricks. Wainaina’s visits are planned and executed by my team which always come in my branded vehicles and announce in public that I am on my way coming,” he said.

On national politics, Wainaina reaffirmed his commitment to support President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto and promised to support the duo’s agenda once he went to parliament.

“Let’s not belittle Wanjiku and assume that they are fools. In Parliament, independent candidates are at liberty to support their preferred coalition depending on their affiliations. We in the Mt. Kenya region are steadfast behind Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta and we will work with him for the benefit of our people and the country as a whole. All uncouth propaganda going round should be taken with the contempt they deserve as they are of no benefit to the mwananchi,” he said.