Water scarcity hits AGC Kangoletiang Girls secondary school in West Pokot

AGC Kangoletiang Girls Secondary School in West Pokot County is grappling with water shortage crisis, forcing student to walk miles to fetch water from nearby sources to support basic school activities such as cooking, cleaning, and sanitation.

The school, which situated in the dry landscape of Pokot North, serves hundreds of girls who come from pastoral families spread across the region.

According to the school administrator, the burden of water scarcity is felt most strongly during the dry season, whereby communities scramble for the limited water sources with the schools.

He further noted that the situation has placed the school in critical conditions as the hygiene standards are always compromised, exposing students to the risk of waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea and typhoid.

He reiterated that water scarcity also affects the overall learning environment, noting that students who spend time fetching water often return tired and less prepared to concentrate in class. “The energy that should be directed toward academic pursuits is instead spent on the physical task of carrying heavy containers across long distances.” He said

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Beyond the school compound, the surrounding community also faces the same challenges. Many families living near Kangoletiang depend on pastoralism for their livelihood. Livestock require significant amounts of water, particularly during dry seasons. When water sources dry up, pastoralists are forced to move long distances in search of pasture and water, sometimes leaving families separated for extended periods.

Despite these obstacles, the resilience and determination of the students and teachers remain remarkable. The administrator appealed to the government to intervene and help the school which is the last safe destination to girls who are at risk of early marriages.

By Hillary Muhalya