By Fred Odhiambo
In Summary
- The institution also marks 60 years since inception
- The project supported by the Al Jallaf Family through their company AJ Capital and Investment involved refurbishing the Njonjo House dormitory, named in honor of Kenya’s first Attorney General Charles Njonjo
- They chose Starehe because of the school’s legacy in catering for bright students from needy families and its rich heritage in shaping leaders in diverse fields of society.
- The renovated dormitory will not only give a new look to the school but more importantly, enrich the learning experience at the school
- AJ Capital and Investment (AJCI) is a strategic advisory and private investment firm based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It deals mainly in management consultancy and project financing in the Middle East, North Africa and Europe
- In Kenya, AJCI operates through its local subsidiaries, Royal Blinds and AJ Design, which specialize in interior design solutions for homes and offices including fabrics, shades, blinds and furniture
One of Kenya’s leading learning institutions Starehe Boys Center, has benefited from a Ksh20 million dormitory renovation project sponsored by a prominent business family based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The project supported by the Al Jallaf Family through their company AJ Capital and Investment involved refurbishing the Njonjo House dormitory, named in honor of Kenya’s first Attorney General Charles Njonjo.
The renovation project commenced in October last year and involved installation of safety features like automatic and manual fire alarm, smoke detectors, fire escape doors, plumbing works, floor and tiling of all wet areas, fixing cabinets, veranda canopies, aluminum windows and paint works. Additionally, it also included installation of People With Disability (PWD) washrooms for the physically challenged.
Speaking during the official handover ceremony, AJ Capital and Investment Chairman, Abdulla Aljallaf, in a speech read on his behalf by the family representative said the project is an important milestone in Al Jallaf Family’s philanthropic activities globally.
“This project signifies our commitment to improving the lives of the needy by offering ‘Zakat’ as obliged by Islamic religious teachings. It is our firm belief that the renovated student block will transform the learning environment and lives of students in the school,” said Mr. Aljallaf.
He said that they chose Starehe because of the school’s legacy in catering for bright students from needy families and its rich heritage in shaping leaders in diverse fields of society.
Starehe Boys Center Director Josphat Mwaura hailed the project saying it will significantly improve the learning environment in the school.
“This project ensures our students live in a modern residential facility and is an immense contribution to the development of the learning infrastructure at Starehe. I wish to thank the Al Jallaf Family through AJ Capital and Investment and their subsidiaries Royal Blind and AJ Design for their gesture,” said Mr. Mwaura who is also KPMG East Africa chief executive.
He added that the project was timely coming as Starehe celebrates sixty years of its existence and fifty years since the Njonjo House dormitory was inaugurated.
The chief guest at the event was Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju. He commended the Al Jallaf Family for supporting the project saying it marked a transformative milestone in the school’s history.
“The renovated dormitory will not only give a new look to the school but more importantly, enrich the learning experience at the school,” said Tuju, himself an alumnus of the school.
The UAE embassy to Kenya, was represented by the Charge d’affairs Mr. Ahmed Alsuwaidi. He thanked the Al Jallaf Family for supporting the project saying it would help cement the bilateral cultural ties between the two countries.
AJ Capital and Investment (AJCI) is a strategic advisory and private investment firm based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It deals mainly in management consultancy and project financing in the Middle East, North Africa and Europe. AJCI is also involved in private equity syndication as well as debt and equity financing.
In Kenya, AJCI operates through its local subsidiaries, Royal Blinds and AJ Design, which specialize in interior design solutions for homes and offices including fabrics, shades, blinds and furniture.
Starehe Boys Center is a charitable institution that caters mostly for academically talented boys from needy families. Established in 1959 by the late pioneer educationist Dr. Geoffrey Griffin, it has produced some of the most prominent leaders and professionals in the country.