The Japanese government has pumped more than Sh16 million in West Pokot County for construction of classrooms in different parts of the county in efforts to boost education standards in the region.
The Japan Embassy to Kenya has rebuilt Kaghmuu Primary School in Lelan ward in Pokot South Sub County which was destroyed by landslides in 2019 at a cost of Sh7 million and has commenced the construction of modern classrooms at Ortum Boys High School at a cost of Sh9 million.
The Japanese ambassador to Kenya Ryochi Horie who visited West Pokot County to inspect the projects being funded by his government said Kenya and Japan have always enjoyed a cordial relationship.
“The relationship between Kenya and Japan is exceptionally close and Kenya is the largest recipient of Japan official development assistance in sub-Saharan Africa,” said Horie.
He added that the Japanese government has continued to provide grants to Kenya’s schools, medical institutions, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) since 1989.
The ambassador who handed over the Kaghmuu Primary School classrooms reiterated that it was his strong wish to improve the quality of education in the remote parts of the county.
“We have been working on large scale infrastructure projects such as constructing roads and bridges but we prioritize improving the lives of ordinary Kenyan people through grassroots assistance,” he explained.
He commended the peace ambassador Ms Tegla Lorupe who hails from the region for spearheading peace activities in the county which he noted had given a peaceful environment to the Japanese government to invest in education.
“I have just signed a contract grant of constructing Ortum classrooms, the funds will be used to construct extra classrooms and provide a more friendly learning environment,” stated the Japanese envoy.
He said more than 300 projects amounting to Sh2.3 billion have been funded across the country noting education is their main focus through providing scholarships for Kenya youths and also by setting up schools.
Area Governor Prof. John Lonyangapuo said he was impressed by the support from Japanese government adding that most schools in the region suffer from poor infrastructure.
Lonyangapuo said he was hopeful that the good relations with the Japanese government would make the region continue getting support for improved education standards.
By Richard Muhambe
