Education kitty set up to get nomads to school

LAISAMIS, KENYA: An education kitty has been set up in Laisamis, Marsabit County to attract nomad’s children to school and retain those already enrolled.

Nairimo Education Fund was set up for the children on Saturday at Lontolio village, Laisamis Constituency by area MP Joseph Lekuton, his Samburu East counterpart Raphael Lentimalo and Brigadier retired Laiboni Lepakio.

Nairimo community at Lontolio are about10,000 and the fund will benefit their children.

Both MPs helped to raise Sh 5 million that will go to the kitty during a funds drive at Lontolio that was attended by leaders from Laisamis, Samburu and Isiolo.

Illiteracy level in Laisamis is at 75 per cent and an estimated six out of every 10 school-going children are not in class according to the 2009 National Population Census.

There is also high dropout rate for those who have enrolled in school while those in secondary, middle level colleges and universities fail to complete due to lack of fees.

School-going children, mostly girls are tasked with herding goats among the pastoralists, a trend that has raised concern among local leaders and National government administrators.

‘‘We are here to raise funds to boost education among the Nairimo. This fund will ensure that no student drops out of school or college due to lack of fees,’’ said Mr Lentimalo, who was the guest of honour.

He added; ‘‘this kitty will supplement the existing efforts done through the local CDF and County and National governments,’’.

Mr Lekuton said despite the low enrollment, great stride has been made in the Constituency towards uplifting standards of education.

‘‘The overall picture is definitely not good but we have taken a giant step towards addressing the matter,’’ he said.

The MP said infrastructure has been put in place especially at nursery and primary school adding that setting up education funds at location or communal levels would supplement other existing funds.

He hailed villagers for contributing Sh 2 million to the kitty saying the locals are gradually getting serious about education.

‘‘The locals contributed Sh 2 million with some contributing between Sh10 and others sold their goats. Each family is now serious about taking their children to school to benefit from the fund,’’ said Lekuton.

No student, he added will drop out of school due to lack of fees in future.

More than 15 similar education funds drive had been conducted in Laisamis over the last two years at locational and clan levels.

Last weekend, Senator Abubakar Harugura, Saku MP Ali Rasso and National Hospital Insurance Fund Chairman Mohamud Ali raised Sh 5 million at Kargi in Laisamis.