Basic Education Principal Secretary (PS) Dr. Belio Kipsang has said the government is keen to support parents and learners from areas affected by cattle rustling and banditry through the establishment of low-cost boarding schools.
Speaking at Moinonin primary school grounds in Saimo Soi Ward, when he led a team of three PS’s from the social sector sub-committee on a public engagement in Baringo County, Dr Kipsang expressed government’s commitment to securing the lives and properties of the locals, who for a long time have been tormented by armed criminals.
He stated that the government through the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) is in the process of completing the reconstruction of more than ten schools that were vandalized by bandits in parts of Baringo North and South Sub counties.
The PS flanked by his counterparts Harry Kimtai (Medical Services), Amos Gathecha (Public Service) and Anne Wang’ombe (Gender) said he will recommend to the government for construction of several low cost boarding facilities in the region, especially Moinonin which for the last six months has played host to learners from neighbouring institutions that closed due to rampant insecurity.
“I wish to sincerely thank the school management of Moinonin for hosting quite a number of schools. They have demonstrated that they are good people and should continue with the same spirit,” Dr. Kipsang said.
The PS who oversaw a school feeding programme at the institution noted that the government is in the process of reintroducing fortified porridge for young learners in a bid to assist in their mental development.
Dr Kipsang, at the same time, challenged education stakeholders to make it a habit of following up the welfare and progress of learners in order to secure a good future for them.
Wang’ombe in her remarks stated that young children and women from the region have borne the heaviest brunt when it comes to challenges of insecurity.
She called upon parents and members of the community to play a leading role in promoting peaceful coexistence which is key for the region in realizing meaningful development.
The gender PS announced that learners in both primary and junior secondary school, especially from insecurity prone areas will benefit from government’s free sanitary towels to ensure they study uninterrupted.
Kimtai on the other hand urged parents to register their children in the social health insurance fund, which will be rolled out towards the end of June this year in order for them to access health services.
“When you register your children into the social health authority, they will be accessing health services without any challenge across the various health facilities like dispensaries, health centres, sub county hospitals up to the national referral facility without any major challenge,” he said.
Baringo deputy governor Eng. Felix Kimaiyo while lauding the government for infrastructure and food support, called for more assistance in all schools affected by banditry, which he observed were in dire need of basic and humanitarian aid.
Eng. Kimaiyo while requesting for Moinonin to be converted into a low cost boarding school, noted that it will ensure that learners from the area are able to sleep in school and avoid instances, where they endanger their lives, while travelling back to their homes.
The institution’s head teacher Petro Chirchir said the school which two years ago had less than 200 pupils has witnessed increased enrollment because of the feeding programme.
Chirchir who noted that livestock has become a dangerous asset for the locals, said the only safest environment are schools, hence should be fully equipped and safeguarded at all cost.
“We want to thank the government for the initiative they have made in getting us food. We pray that the supply continues because the moment you stop, that is our end,” he said.
The head teacher added that the sanitary towels programme will serve as a lifeline to quite a number of girls, whose parents cannot afford to buy for them.
By Benson Kelio
