Embakasi South Member of Parliament Julius Mawathe has raised concerns over the alleged transfer of ownership of Gatoto Primary School in Mukuru Kwa Njenga from the government to a private entity, describing the move as questionable and calling for investigations into the circumstances surrounding the change.
Speaking on the matter, the legislator questioned how a former pupil of the school could later claim ownership of the institution years after completing primary education there. Mawathe said the developments surrounding Gatoto Primary School had left many residents seeking answers, arguing that the institution was established to serve children from the Mukuru Kwa Njenga community and should not have been converted into private ownership.
“The school belongs to the people of Mukuru Kwa Njenga. It was established to provide education to children from this community, and it is difficult to understand how an individual can now claim ownership of it,” he said.
The MP further alleged that corruption and irregular dealings may have played a role in facilitating the alleged transfer of the school, urging relevant investigative agencies to establish how the ownership changed hands.
He maintained that public institutions should be safeguarded from what he termed as attempts to grab public resources, warning that allowing such actions would set a dangerous precedent for other public facilities across the country. Mawathe called on the government to intervene and ensure that Gatoto Primary School continues serving the residents of Mukuru Kwa Njenga as a public learning institution.
His remarks come amid an ongoing legal dispute over the ownership and management of Gatoto Primary School, a matter that has sparked protests from residents who insist the institution was built through community efforts and should remain under public management.
The controversy has attracted significant public attention, with local leaders and residents demanding transparency over the school’s registration and ownership status while calling for investigations into the processes that led to the alleged transfer.
