Shocking images of crumbling classrooms at Uwasi Primary School in Usonga Ward, Alego-Usonga Constituency, have exploded across social media, reigniting fierce debate over neglect in Siaya County. The viral photos depict mud-walled structures in dire disrepair, with critics pointing fingers at area MP Samuel Atandi – who chairs the powerful National Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committee.
The fresh wave of images, posted on X (formerly Twitter) today, show dilapidated buildings with cracked walls, leaking roofs, and makeshift learning environments unfit for children implementing Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
One widely shared post, garnering thousands of views and hundreds of reposts, captions the photos: “Uwasi Primary School, Usonga ward. Area MP Samuel Atandi, the Chair Budget Committee”
This isn’t the first time Uwasi Primary has made headlines for all the wrong reasons. Similar photos circulated in 2023, prompting Siaya County officials to dismiss them as a politically motivated smear campaign. Yet the resurgence raises uncomfortable questions: Is this a genuine cry for help, or another round of malice in a county plagued by leadership rivalries?
Atandi, elected MP in 2017 and elevated to Budget Committee Chair in March 2025 (replacing Ndindi Nyoro), wields significant influence over national resource allocation.
Critics argue it’s ironic – even hypocritical – that a school in his backyard remains in such a sorry state despite access to NG-CDF funds and county resources.
Compounding the issue is the ongoing public spat between Atandi and Siaya Governor James Orengo. The two ODM heavyweights have traded barbs over development priorities, with constituents accusing the MP of undermining the governor and vice versa.
Recent clashes include disagreements on national government deliveries and local projects, often playing out in media headlines.
Truth be told, intent behind the posts matters little when children study in decaying classrooms. Whether smear or spotlight, these images expose a deeper rot: leaders locked in intermittent power tussles while core areas like education crumble. It’s pathetic – and unacceptable – for elected officials to air dirty linen publicly while constituents suffer.
Siaya deserves better. Atandi and Orengo must bury the hatchet, channel energies into fixing schools like Uwasi, and prove that political positions translate to tangible progress. Voters are watching, and patience is wearing thin.
