Relief for children in hyena-infested village as new school is built

Residents of hyena-infested Nyacaba area in Juja, Kiambu County sighed with relief relieved following the opening of a new primary school in the area.

The George Flat Primary School, constructed through the constituency National Government-Constituency Fund (NG-CDF), comes as a huge boost to young learners who risked attacks by the beasts as they used to walk for several kilometres to get to school.

A number pupils have fallen victim to these marauding animals with parents living in constant fear while escorting their children to school early in the morning.

Speaking during the opening of the school, area MP George Koimburi said the construction of a secondary school adjacent to the primary school is underway and will be completed in three months time.

The MP who also issued bursary cheques to parents, emphasized his commitment to transforming the area through strategic development.

“This is more than just infrastructure but about saving lives and empowering our children through accessible, safe education,” said Koimburi.

Other infrastructural development that have been undertaken in the area include the construction of three Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) classrooms to ease access to early education on the area.

“The young pupils will now learn safely and closer to home. The new school is also a big relief to parents who were going through nightmares over the safety of their children” the legislator remarked.

Parents lauded the initiative, many of them saying they will no longer have to wake up as early as 4 am to escort their children to school fearing attacks by hyenas.

Led by Patricia Kamau, they said it has been stressful for parents and children passing through the hyena zones at dawn and dusk, to and from school.

“This is a godsend. We no longer have to wake up before dawn to escort our children through the danger zones. The school is right here in our neighborhood.” said Patricia, mother of three.

Wainaina Kiburuti, another parent, echoed her sentiments saying their children’s lives and future have been secured.

Attacks by hyenas in Nyacaba have been a common occurrence with several people, young and old falling victims to be the wild animals.

Residents have been up in arms with the local administration and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) calling on them to relocate the animals to the nearby Ol Donyo Sabuk Game reserve.