Kajiado – Uneducated men in Kajiado County are being encouraged to join adult literacy classes to gain essential skills. According to the Kenya News Agency, the push comes from the County Adult and Continuing Education Officer, Mercy Njiriri, who noted that fewer men than women are participating in such programs due to lifestyle and cultural factors.

Njiriri identified the nomadic lifestyle common among the Maasai community as a significant barrier to male enrollment. This lifestyle involves frequently moving in search of water and pasture, making consistent attendance at education classes difficult. Additionally, cultural norms discourage men from sitting in the same classes as women, further reducing male participation.

Speaking at the Osiligi Adult Education Centre, Njiriri highlighted the benefits of adult education, which extend beyond basic literacy to include training in business skills, family planning, civic education, and agriculture, among others. Njiriri called on local leaders and activists to help dispel misconceptions that deter men from enrolling.

She also highlighted the need for additional resources, such as teachers and classrooms, to adequately serve the adult population seeking education. Daniel Tisike, a volunteer teacher at Osiligi Centre, corroborated the gender imbalance, stating that none of the 76 students in his adult education class were male. Tisike suggested that opening ‘men-only’ classes could potentially encourage more male participation.