In a significant milestone for education development in Kilifi County, the Optiven Foundation officially handed over a state-of-the-art science laboratory to Makobeni Secondary School on 14th May 2025. The ceremony marked a transformative moment for the school community, which has long struggled with inadequate learning facilities.
The newly built laboratory, valued at KSh 10.5 million, was funded entirely by the Optiven Foundation under its Education Pillar. The facility will not only serve the school’s 150 students—100 boys and 50 girls—but also eliminate the need for them to travel over 100 miles to access a functioning laboratory.
Makobeni Secondary, located on the outskirts of Malindi, operates with just eight staff members, most of whom work voluntarily due to the students’ challenging economic backgrounds. Prior to the construction, the entire school operated from a single building funded by the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), with the teachers conducting lessons and meetings under a tree.
Optiven Foundation began the project with a groundbreaking and prayer ceremony on 16th January 2025. The initiative was part of a broader commitment to improving educational outcomes in underserved areas, and also provided job opportunities to local workers during construction—aligning with the foundation’s Poverty Eradication Pillar.
Speaking at the handover event, Optiven Foundation Chairman Dr. George Wachiuri applauded the real estate investors whose contributions made the project possible. He also issued a heartfelt call to professionals from the Makobeni area to return and invest in uplifting their community.
“Makobeni’s transformation begins with education,” Dr. Wachiuri noted. “We are not only giving a facility but opening doors to future scientists, doctors, and innovators.”
The day’s celebration’s included donations of food, sanitary pads, and footballs to the students, further reflecting Optiven’s holistic approach to community development.
The laboratory initiative complements other programs under the foundation’s Education Pillar, including the Soaring Eagles Scholarship Program, TVET Support Initiatives, the Management Trainees Mentorship Program, and the George Wachiuri School of Mentorship.
With this latest development, Optiven Foundation continues to cement its role as a key private sector player in Kenya’s social impact landscape, delivering tangible solutions in education, empowerment, and poverty eradication.