Secondary school faces threat as water soaks grounds

Officials wade through a water-logged area at Kitobo Secondary School in Taveta Sub-County. [Renson Mlegwa, Standard]

 

The compound of Kitobo Secondary School has been turned into a swamp by water seeping from aquifers originating from Mount Kilimanjaro region in Tanzania.

A nearby river has also been blocked due to heavy siltation, compounding the situation.

Senior officials from the Interior and Education ministries, and the National Environment Management Authority expressed concern that the school could soon be submerged and consequently closed.

“The emerging springs in the school have turned the compound swampy, making it inhabitable for learners and teachers,” said Taveta Deputy County Commissioner Stanley Kamande.

He noted that the swampy conditions had not only disrupted learning and affected the growth of trees in the school and the nearby Kitobo County Forest, but also exposed the local population to waterborne diseases.

“Kitobo River is back-flowing to the school, causing havoc to the learners. It is the responsibility of the county administration to disilt the Kitobo springs,” said Mr Kamande, adding that it required only Sh200,000 to manually disilt the river and end the problem.

 Uncontrolled human activity have been blamed for the diversion of water from Kitobo River into the school.

Speaking when he showed reporters around the school yesterday, the administrator said learning had been disrupted.

Teachers said pit latrines were overflowing and there were cracks on the walls of classrooms and toilets.

The administrator and teachers said the situation was likely to worsen during the March-June long rains.

“We must get a quick solution before it gets out of hand. The computer laboratory block with electricity cables is now waterlogged and is posing danger to the electrical wiring system,” Kamande said.

Mary Mwanzia, a senior teacher who accompanied the administrator, said there were fears that the school would sink if quick action was not taken.

Quick action

She suggested that a trench be dug to drain the water. She said the problem started at the end of last year.

“This is a new school with over 200 students and also the only secondary school in Kitobo location. Every effort should be done to save it.”

Kamande noted that siltation had become a major challenge to both the residents of Taveta and the people living near Kitobo forest, which straddles the Kenya/Tanzania b order.

“Siltation has blocked the free flow of water to Tanzania, affecting the Kenyan side. Action should be taken to save the situation,” stated the administrator.

He added that a technical team from Kenya and Tanzania had been formed to look into the matter. Its recommendations had been handed to the authorities.