The government has now appealed to residents of Isaku to support environmental conservation measures aimed at restoring degraded land and protecting the school and neighbouring homesteads from further damage.
Deputy County Commissioner Linet Orina said the community must take collective responsibility for protecting the environment, particularly during the ongoing heavy rainy season.
Speaking at a public baraza, Orina warned that failure to address environmental degradation could put lives at risk and destroy important public facilities.
“We must all play our part in conserving the environment. We have a responsibility to protect our schools and other public infrastructure because these facilities must be handed down to the next generation,” she said.
The DCC expressed concern over opposition to a restoration initiative in which a well-wisher had offered to supply soil to rehabilitate the affected land, create a playing field for learners and help safeguard the school's classrooms.
She faulted some residents for spreading what she described as unnecessary propaganda alleging that the soil was contaminated, instead of supporting the environmental intervention.
Orina urged residents to remain alert and report any signs of danger during the rainy season to enable authorities to respond promptly and prevent possible loss of life.
She also challenged landowners involved in sand harvesting to ensure they restore excavated sites and adopt proper environmental management measures.
Restoration measures to protect school
County Department of Environment officer Arnold Ambeyi said the proposed restoration works would include filling open pits with soil, levelling the ground, planting grass and trees, and installing gabions to prevent further erosion.
Ambeyi warned that uncontrolled water flowing from higher ground was contributing to the destruction of the school and nearby homes.
He called on residents living uphill to construct terraces and direct some of the runoff water into their farms to reduce the amount reaching the school.
“Residents, especially those living on the upper side, should make terraces and channel some of the water into their farms to reduce the flow of water downhill,” he said.
He further cautioned residents against opposing conservation initiatives, saying public facilities such as the school, assistant chief's office and church should be protected for future generations.
Ambeyi urged the community to follow government advice and environmental guidelines, warning that failure to comply could attract legal consequences.
Meanwhile, David Shamola, who represented residents, called on the government to install quality culverts at designated points along the road to regulate water flowing down the hill.
He also urged authorities to conduct a proper land survey to establish clear boundaries between public and private property.
Following the public participation baraza, residents agreed to allow the conservation project to proceed, saying their earlier opposition had largely been caused by inadequate public participation before the initiative was introduced.
The agreement is expected to pave the way for restoration works aimed at reducing erosion and improving safety around the school.
In a separate appeal, Orina urged parents and guardians to closely supervise their children during the long school holiday and festive season.
Orina warned that neglecting parental responsibilities could expose children to teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, and called on parents to provide proper guidance and protection.
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