By Amoto Ndiewo
A large number of learners are dropping out of school as families look for a livelihood and pasture and water for their vulnerable livestock in the wake of the biting drought in Tana River county.
Chifiri Senior Chief, Idriss Guyo said that schools had reported huge absence of learners since the third term began with most students yet to report.
“Lack of rain in the recent past has presented a huge problem because children have dropped out of school,” he said.
Residents also blame the drought for high food prices contributing to the high school dropout and child labour.
The chief noted that the government had initiated the Ksh.300 million Small Irrigation and Value Addition Project (SIVAP) in the county to reduce migrations in search of food and create employment opportunities.
He said that people had been moving to Bura since the previous week but he had held meetings to inform the parents that children need be in school.
“At the moment, people migrate easily with children and livestock because they don’t have work to do, therefore we are calling upon the government to speed up the project to create job opportunities for the people,” said the Chief.
The Ministry of Agriculture initiated SIVAP involving construction of three pans in Mkomani, Nkozi and Mpongwe villages to reduce poverty by enhancing agricultural productivity, income and food security.
“These will go a long way in checking the movements of nomadic parents and their children and the learners will be able to attend school, and post better results in our national exams,” Josephat Omari, the SIVAP project manager said.
According to the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), more than 92,000 people are in dire need of food aid in Tana River county.
