By Gerald Mukembu
Tharaka Constituency parliamentary aspirant Paul Mugambi has come to the defense of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki following public outcry over the deteriorating conditions of several schools in the area.
This comes after a Citizen TV exposé revealed dire conditions in at least six primary schools in Tharaka—Kathanga, Kiairanthi, Gatiriku, Gakuyu, and Kathandeni—where children are learning in crumbling mud-walled classrooms, with leaking roofs, gaping cracks, and dusty floors.
Despite the criticism, Mugambi passionately reframed the issue, highlighting the resilience and dignity of Tharaka people. He acknowledged historical marginalization but emphasized that the community is “rising with zeal and determination”, fueled by hope rather than bitterness.
Mugambi says Tharaka people are not children of privilege, like some, but sons and daughters of hope with a story and heritage.
“From the mud walls we rise, and meekly compete effectively with the privileged and powerful. Sons and daughters of cement, stone and ballast. Carpet and tiles,” he said.
Mugambi says the constituency was neglected and deliberately marginalized for decades but “we’re rising.”
He added that residents and leaders from the constituency are not bitter about those who participated in the atrocities against ‘us’ and while “we won’t speak or do no evil or revenge to those who deliberately marginalized and neglected our people, we’re still here as the living testimony that God doesn’t torment, he lifts.”
He said they are now armed with hope and courage, pray for a way up and what must be done to equalize “our people” and also help lift those that thought “we are children of a lesser God but today need a hand.”
He noted that they will not be cowed into submission of despair by the very characters who think progress is a marginal inheritance, but shout their voices hoarse to say that every child, every aspiration and every strand of hope matters, irrespective of one’s background.
He said they will not be covering their faces in embarrassment or walking in shame, but heads high with courage.
“We’ve come from so far. And here we are, see God?”
