NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 1 – Retired President Mwai Kibaki has blasted the Opposition for continuous criticism of the Jubilee Administration, accusing them of attempting to derail the governments’ development agenda.
Speaking at the Starehe Boys Centre during the Founder’s Day celebration, Kibaki urged President Uhuru Kenyatta to ignore the dissenting opinions and serve the people, further praising his track record.
“These people and they are few … don’t think they are many; they don’t like wishing people who do good well. Reason is because many people in Kenya don’t mention them,” said Kibaki.
“Mr President God will be with you and all good meaning Kenyans,” he added.
President Kenyatta who graced the occasion noted the school’s impressive performance over the years urging the students to keep the dream of its founders alive.
He paid tribute to the three founders, Geoffrey Griffin, Joseph Kamiru Gikubu and Geoffrey Gatama Geturo urging those who had filled their shoes to keep the Starehe flag flying high.
He once again joked over the ‘Kidero grass’ saying the Nairobi County Governor had told him he was planting the grass in readiness for the visit by the Pope in November this year.
“Kidero had already informed me that the grass he was planting was for the Pope, and he assured me that by the time he comes, they will have grown – Kidero is a visionary,” joked Kenyatta sparking laughter among the parents and students in attendance.
Education Cabinet secretary Jacob Kaimenyi while making his speech took cognisance of the immense talent exhibited by Starehe Boys in the various entertainment pieces they presented to the guests saying this showed that extracurricular activities must be nurtured.
He urged heads of institutions to promote other creative lessons beyond classwork so as to nurture talent adding that the students should even consider a career in music as many were earning a decent living from it.
The schools’ director Matthew Kithiaka called on the students to uphold the schools mission of Living The Promise, Natulenge Juu (Aim High) and ensure that wherever they go, they made a difference in society.
Kithiaka who together with other students attended the just completed Global Entrepreneurship Summit exhibition at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre said they had been inspired to instil entrepreneurial skills in their students and had since begun such a program.
He said this will ensure that when the students most of whom are from disadvantaged backgrounds leave the institution, they could make a difference in society by sharing the knowledge and skills with others.
“We have teachers who will be teaching our students entrepreneurship and innovation to ensure those skills is nurtured at a tender age,” said Kithika.
Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi an alumni of the school reminisced his time in the school appreciating how far he had come further pledging his support for the disadvantaged students.
“I was in class ‘A’ that is those from the poorest backgrounds; this was because I lost my father in 1984. But look how far I have come, it is possible,” he said.
Other old pupils from the institution and who were present are Peter Kenneth, Ronnie Osumba and former Kenya Wildlife Service Director Julius Kipng’etich among others.
Retired President Kibaki has been the institution’s patron since 1969.
Also present was Starehe MP Maina Kamanda who pledged to channel a section of the County Development Fund (CDF) to the institution to support a project of their choice.
Source-capitalfm.co.ke
