Residents demand more Schools in underserved Bomet East-Narok border villages

Residents of several villages along the Bomet East-Narok County border are calling for urgent intervention to improve access to education, saying learners walk long distances to school.

The residents, from Tigombu, Tegat, Triangle, Mulot and Sagamian, say some learners walk at least 13 kilometres to reach school. They say the distance has contributed to absenteeism, school dropouts and teenage pregnancies, and that the lack of nearby schools is putting the children's future at risk.

Mary Langat, who led the residents in raising the concerns, said the distance had become a major obstacle to children's education.

"Education is a right for every child, but our children are being forced to cover long distances to get to school. Some are dropping out because they cannot cope with the journey," she said.

Ms Langat warned that the long journeys also expose learners to wildlife attacks and to people with harmful intentions.

She said the situation reflects years of inadequate educational development in the area, leaving children with fewer opportunities than those living closer to schools. She called on the relevant authorities to intervene, saying children should not be disadvantaged because of where they live.

Florence Kirwa said the distance had also contributed to absenteeism, making it hard for learners to attend classes regularly. She described the situation as a major challenge for families and learners and urged the authorities to find a lasting solution.

The residents also raised concern over a shortage of teachers, which they linked to the inadequate number of schools serving the area.

They are demanding the establishment of more schools and the deployment of enough teachers. They said better access to schools would help reduce absenteeism and dropouts and give children a safer and more reliable path to education.

The residents urged the government and the relevant education authorities to act, insisting that learners in the affected villages deserve the same access to education as children elsewhere in the country.