West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin is planning to develop more schools to fight illiteracy, which has been a major catalyst of banditry.
He
said the county is working with development partners to enhance access
to education by all children in the region where illiteracy levels
remain high.
“Through
the development of more schools, we will be able to transform the lives
of our people so they abandon old-age activities like banditry,”
Kachapin said.
He spoke when he presided
over the official handover ceremony for the newly constructed Sangak
Primary School in Pokot Central subcounty.
The
project is aimed at enhancing access to quality education and fostering
lasting peace in the West Pokot–Turkana border region.
Among them were engineer Gilbert
Arasa and Irene Senei, who joined Governor Kachapin in celebrating the
launch of the school project.
The school was constructed by KeNHA with the support of the International Development Association (IDA).
It is designed to serve at least 800 learners, from Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) through upper primary level.
Facilities
developed include modern classrooms and boarding facilities that offer a
safe and nurturing environment for children from remote and
historically insecure areas.
Kachapin
praised the initiative, saying the school will play a critical role in
reducing dropout rates, promoting education, and strengthening harmony
in a region that has long struggled with insecurity and marginalisation.
“The
completion of this school represents more than just buildings because
it is a beacon of hope, a symbol of opportunity and a foundation for a
peaceful future for our children and communities,” he said.
Kachapin
said education is a key catalyst of development and peace, hence the
need to ensure all children access quality education.
He said his county is also investing in ECDE learning to build strong foundations for children.
Deputy
Governor Robert Komolle said the new school will help to bridge
significant educational disparities and catalyse socioeconomic
development.
Arasa said Sangak Primary
School is part of the government’s broader strategy to promote peace and
stability in the North Rift through inclusive and secure learning
environments.
Also present at the event were Peter
Lochakapong, who is MP for Sigor constituency and director at the State
Department for Basic Education Lumbasi Bartholomew.
