The Mombasa County Government has officially commissioned the Mama Ida Odinga ECDE and Daycare Centre in Maganda, Jomvu, marking another milestone in the county’s push to expand access to quality early childhood education.
The facility, whose foundation stone was laid a year ago by the late ODM leader Raila Odinga, will provide free pre-primary education and daycare services for children while supporting working parents in the area.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir said completing the project demonstrated the county’s commitment to delivering on promises made to residents.
“One year ago we stood on this very ground with our father and mentor, Raila Odinga, to lay the foundation stone for this school. Today, we have fulfilled that promise by commissioning this ECDE and daycare centre,” he said.
The governor said the county had adopted a comprehensive approach to early childhood development inspired by the educational work of Ida Odinga, noting that the model has also been embraced in countries such as Nigeria and Rwanda.
He highlighted several reforms implemented by his administration, including free ECDE education, free school feeding programmes and improved welfare for ECDE teachers.
According to Nassir, enrolment in county ECDE centres has increased from about 8,000 learners to 13,131, an increase of more than 5,000 children in the last four years.
“We decided that all children in ECDE should study free of charge. We also made school meals free, employed hundreds of ECDE teachers and ensured they receive their salaries on time and enjoy comprehensive medical cover,” he said.
The governor further announced plans to introduce nutrition support for expectant mothers to improve children’s health from pregnancy through early childhood.
He added that all children below the age of five in Mombasa continue to receive fully funded healthcare under the county government.
Addressing residents, Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Ida Odinga praised the county’s investment in early learning, describing education as the most valuable investment any society can make.
“There is no greater investment in society than investing in the education of our children. Roads can be built, markets can be constructed and buildings can rise to the sky, but education gives meaning to development because it prepares people for sustainable life,” she said.
She also commended Governor Nassir for ensuring the project was completed after the foundation stone was laid last year.
“My late husband believed that the measure of leadership is not the speeches we make or the noise we create, but the opportunities we leave for future generations. I congratulate the governor for ensuring this did not remain a ceremonial foundation stone but became a lasting institution that will serve families,” she said.
The veteran educationist, who has spent more than three decades promoting education, stressed that every child has unique potential.
“I have always believed that every child is gifted. No child is born without purpose. Our responsibility is not to decide which child will succeed, but to create opportunities for every child to learn,” she said.
She also called on parents to play a greater role in raising children, noting that many families were increasingly leaving the responsibility to mothers alone.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by Jomvu MP Bady Twalib, area MCA Baya Kibwana and other county leaders.