The Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET) Secretary General, James Torome, has called on pastoralist communities to abandon retrogressive cultural practices.
Torome observed that the vices that continue to hinder children’s access to education should be abandoned.
Speaking in Nairegia Enkare in Narok County, he singled out harmful traditions such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), early marriages, and moranism as key barriers to education among Maa-speaking communities.
He expressed concern that these practices disproportionately affect girls, limiting their opportunities and contributing to high school dropout rates.
“We should embrace education and ensure our children attain education to be relevant in the modern world. Both girls and boys should go to school, as the government has offered a free basic education programme,” said Torome.
He urged the community to embrace modernity by prioritising education, while also cautioning young men against engaging in drugs and criminal activities.
“Young men should avoid being lured into drugs and crime, which can easily land them in jail. Instead, they should engage in productive activities like farming, livestock rearing and small businesses,” he advised.
Torome further called on elders and youth to take a leading role in ending FGM.
“The government has already declared war against FGM. I want the community to help end the practice by ensuring no young girl is cut,” he said.
“Earlier on, FGM and early marriage were embraced in our culture, but the practice is slowly fading because it has been discovered that it doesn’t add any value to the girl-child,” he added.
At the same time, the unionist challenged religious leaders to promote unity and accountability, warning against the politicisation of the pulpit.
“Religious leaders have a duty to promote unity and call out misconduct in leadership. Churches should not be turned into arenas for political battles,” he said, accusing some politicians of using church platforms to spread hate and divisive politics.
He called for national unity and peaceful coexistence, emphasising the importance of issue-based politics.
“Where there is unity, God commands a blessing. That is why we want all of us to unite and work together, so that God will bless us,” he noted.
Nominated Member of the Narok County Assembly Josephine Seneiyo urged politicians and youth to exercise restraint ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“Our leaders should learn to seek civil ways to resolve differences instead of using political platforms to utter negative statements that may humiliate communities,” she said.
Keekonyokie Ward MCA Lemiso Kimiti called on leaders to respect the presidency, even as political competition intensifies.
“William Ruto is the symbol of the country’s unity. He is the Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces and deserves respect. You may be his political competitor, but the presidency must be respected,” said Kimiti.
He urged leaders to uphold accountability and focus on addressing the country’s challenges through responsible leadership.
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Narok County ODM branch chairman Robinson Torome Nalengoyo, popularly known as ‘Kaza Roho’, called for tolerance of divergent views within political parties.
“Democracy does not mean chaos,” he said, urging his party to put its house in order before entering into any coalition agreements ahead of the 2027 polls.
By Kimutai Langat
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