By Our Correspondent
MANDERA, Kenya — The renovated Mandera Community Library has been officially handed over to the County Government of Mandera, marking the completion of a project aimed at improving access to modern public learning facilities in Kenya’s northeastern region.
The handover ceremony was led by Robert Theuri, chairman of the Kenya National Library Service (KNLS) Board.
The ceremony also marked progress in the expansion of public library services in Mandera County, with two additional libraries in Lafey and Elwak completed and ready to be officially launched.
Officials attending the handover included Charles Nzivo, KNLS Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Ali Omar, the County Executive Committee Member for Social Development, members of the county assembly, county government officials and local community representatives.
Speaking during the ceremony, Theuri thanked government agencies and development partners that supported the renovation project.
“Libraries have always been gateways to knowledge, learning, and opportunity,” Theuri said, adding that such facilities “must evolve for the digital age.”
The renovated library has been redesigned as a technology-enabled learning centre equipped with improved digital infrastructure. The facility now includes high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity, assistive technologies for persons with disabilities and integration with the KNLS Virtual Library and the Koha Library Management System.
The library’s collection has also been expanded to include locally published books, educational toys and games intended to support early childhood literacy as well as lifelong learning, the statement said.
KNLS said the renovation and expansion project began after its board approved a funding request to the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund. Funding was secured in 2023 with support from the State Department for Culture, the Arts and Heritage.
Theuri said the project was made possible through collaboration between the national government, the County Government of Mandera, the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund, project consultants, contractors, the implementation team and KNLS management.
