Thousands of children from West Pokot County have been deprived of their right to education due to poverty, hunger, insecurity, nomadic lifestyle and harmful cultural practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and early forced marriages.
This was revealed by West Pokot Kenya Secondary Schools Head Association (KESSHA) Chairperson Stanley Pilkan who noted that school dropout rate in the region is alarmingly high despite efforts by the county government to sensitize residents on the importance of education and the financial assistance provided through bursaries.
Pilkan called upon chiefs, village elders, religious and opinion leaders and other partners to join hands and ensure all children have access to quality education.
He also urged area Members of Parliament (MPs) to use the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to set up schools in the area.
West Pokot County Children Officer Philip Wapopa lamented that many children run away from their homes due to hunger and poverty to seek shelter in the streets of major towns.
He urged the government to identify such children in order to give them aid and get them out of the streets.
Simon Wamae, the County Education Director, encouraged local chiefs to form committees to facilitate children’s enrollment in schools.
He also urged parents to prioritize the education of their children.
County TSC Director Bernard Kimachasi said the government has implemented strategies to ensure every child has access to education despite the challenges faced in the region.
By Thuita Jaswant
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