GARISSA – A government initiative aimed at increasing school enrollment in the North Eastern region of Kenya has significantly boosted the transition rates from primary to secondary education. The mop-up campaign targeted students who had not yet reported for Form One and Grade 7, resulting in an increase in the transition rate from 83.4 percent to 96 percent.
According to Kenya News Agency, speaking in Dadaab town, the efforts have led to Mandera and Wajir counties achieving a 100 percent transition rate. However, Garissa County is still behind with an 88 percent transition rate, translating to 1,418 students who have yet to enroll in Form One. Despite this, Fafi and Bura East sub-counties within Garissa have reached a 100 percent reporting rate for Form One students, largely attributed to a zero fees program initiated by Fafi MP Salah Yakub. This program covers the entirety of students’ school fees and also provides them with school uniforms, boxes, shoes, and other personal effects.
Otieno urged local chiefs and their assistants from Fafi, Dadaab, and other sub-counties to intensify efforts to ensure the remaining students report to school by the following Monday. He highlighted the importance of this initiative, noting that allowing students to remain out of school not only hampers their educational progress but also exposes them to the risk of being recruited by terror groups. This, according to Otieno, poses a significant challenge to the government’s efforts to eradicate violent extremism from the region.
The Regional Commissioner also mentioned that the government has released the capitation funding through the Ministry of Education, and area Members of Parliament are providing bursaries through the Constituency Development Fund. These measures aim to remove financial barriers to education, ensuring no child is left out of school for economic reasons.
VIHIGA, Kenya – In a significant move to conserve wetlands, the Deputy Governor of Vihiga, Wilberforce Kitiezo, spearheaded a community effort in the Wakikuyu area of North Maragoli by planting 1,500 bamboo seedlings. This initiative, marking the World Wetlands Day, was supported by the County Executive for Environment and Water Resources, Dr. Richard Boiyo.
According to Kenya News Agency, the choice of bamboo was deliberate due to its environmentally friendly nature and potential to aid in the preservation of the North Maragoli wetlands. Kitiezo also emphasized the need for replacing eucalyptus trees along rivers and streams, citing their detrimental effect on water sources.
Further addressing the community, Kitiezo encouraged the substitution of eucalyptus with indigenous tree species that are less demanding in water consumption and more conducive to the local ecosystem. His appeal to residents was a part of a broader strategy to safeguard natural resources.
Dr. Boiyo, in his remarks, outlined the county government’s commitment to environmental conservation. This commitment includes promoting tree planting and the adoption of contour farming in areas with uneven terrain. He mentioned the collaboration with various organizations, such as Kenya Power, the Kenya Forest Research Institute (KEFRI), and Friends of River Ezava (FOREZAVA), to further their goals of sustainable environmental protection.
This collaborative initiative in Vihiga signifies a strong community and governmental response to environmental challenges, aligning with global efforts to preserve and nurture vital ecosystems like wetlands.