A viral video showing a rundown mabati (iron-roof) classroom in Homa Bay has reignited a national debate about county spending after Governor Gladys Wanga recently unveiled a multi-million-shilling lakefront amphitheatre. The clip — shared widely on X and other social platforms — shows pupils learning under leaky corrugated sheets while a glossy amphitheatre project sits completed elsewhere in the county. kenyan-post.com
What the video shows and why residents are furious
In the short footage, local residents and parents complain that their children still attend lessons in dusty, poorly ventilated mabati-roof rooms that leak when it rains. The message from the clip is blunt: ordinary community needs such as school repairs and classroom materials remain unmet even as visible prestige projects are rolled out. The post has attracted thousands of views and heated comments demanding accountability from county leaders. kenyan-post.com
The amphitheatre: a flagship project under the spotlight
Governor Wanga’s new amphitheatre — promoted by the county as a fanzone and cultural venue for major events including CHAN football screenings and the recent Devolution Conference — was opened with fanfare and has been praised in some quarters as boosting local tourism and civic life. Supporters say the facility can host large public gatherings and generate economic activity. People DailyYouTube
Critics: prestige vs. priorities
Critics argue the amphitheatre’s high visibility has exposed a mismatch between high-profile capital projects and essential service delivery at the grassroots. Social media users and local campaigners are asking why funds were directed to an ultra-modern venue while several public schools remain in urgent need of refurbishment. Calls are growing for the county to publish project budgets, timelines and a clear plan that balances infrastructure with core services like education, water and sanitation. kenyan-post.com
What this means for local governance
The episode has broader governance implications: visible projects often win political headlines but may not address systemic problems such as maintenance backlogs, school grants distribution or targeting of limited county resources to the poorest wards. Good governance experts say transparency, public participation in budget setting, and a clear maintenance plan for both new and existing assets are essential to avoid perceptions of misplaced priorities. (Context on the amphitheatre’s launch and use for public viewings is documented in local coverage.) kenyan-post.comPeople Daily
What residents want next
Parents and community leaders in the viral clip demand an immediate audit of local education spending, fast repairs to the affected mabati classrooms, and a stakeholder forum where residents can question county budget choices. The county government has not published a detailed response to the video at the time of writing; observers say a prompt, transparent reply that outlines repair plans and funding sources would help calm tensions.
