Members of the Ogiek Community have welcomed the launch of the Ksh500 million scholarship targeting minority groups in the country, terming it a major step toward bridging long-standing educational gaps.
Led by community representative Maria Samoei, the members said the funding will significantly boost access to education for minority communities that have lagged behind for decades.
“This allocation will greatly improve education among our people, who for many years have been left behind,” Samoei said.
Speaking in the area, she noted that many children from the Ogiek Community have been forced to drop out of school due to lack of school fees and the long distances they have to walk to reach learning institutions.
“Most of our children drop out of school because parents cannot afford fees, while others are discouraged by the long distances to schools,” she explained.
Samoei commended President William Ruto for the initiative, saying the Ogiek Community has suffered years of neglect under successive governments.
“We thank President Ruto for remembering minority communities. We have been neglected for many years by successive administrations,” she said.
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She further urged the government to fast-track the implementation of the ruling by the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Arusha, Tanzania, warning that continued delays amount to a violation of the community’s rights.
“Delaying the implementation of the Arusha court ruling is a violation of our rights. We urge the government to act with speed,” Samoei said.
Her sentiments were echoed by Lily Rotich, who appealed for the speedy release of the funds to ensure children from minority communities benefit without further delay.
“We are asking the government to release the money as soon as possible so that our children can benefit,” Rotich said.
President Ruto announced the launch of the scholarship fund while speaking during the commemoration of Minority Groups Day, reiterating his administration’s commitment to improving the lives and livelihoods of minority communities across the country.
“This government is committed to ensuring that no community is left behind, and education remains a key pillar in improving lives and livelihoods,” President Ruto said.
By Kimutai Langat
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