Kenya Ports Authority Donates State-of-the-Art Hall to Mazeras Girls SchoolWest Pokot County Allocates Ksh 600 Million to Bursary Fund for Needy StudentsKenya’s National Museum and Pwani University Partner to Document Slave Trade History

KWALE, Kenya – In a significant boost to educational and extracurricular activities in Kwale County, the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has officially handed over a new multi-purpose hall to Mazeras Girls Memorial Secondary School in Samburu Sub-County. The facility, valued at Sh39 million, is poised to transform the learning environment for the 1,200 students at the school.

According to Kenya News Agency, the construction of the hall was a response to a request made by the school administration five years ago. Following a thorough needs analysis conducted by the Authority, the project was initiated to provide a versatile space for education, workshops, community events, and various school activities.

The hall, with a seating capacity of 1,000, marks a significant milestone in KPA’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives, representing one of the most substantial projects the Authority has undertaken in this domain. Tayari emphasized the project’s importance, noting it as a testament to KPA’s commitment to contributing positively to the communities in which it operates.

The facility is expected to serve multiple purposes, including hosting educational programs, extracurricular activities, and community gatherings, thereby enhancing the overall school experience for Mazeras Girls’ students. Tayari expressed hope that the hall would act as a catalyst for positive change and growth within the school and the wider community, underlining the Authority’s belief in education as a key driver for a better future.

KPA’s CSI policy, which focuses on health, education, environment, sports, humanitarian aid and relief, and women empowerment, has led to significant contributions towards the development of infrastructure across Kenya and neighboring countries. Tayari highlighted over 60 projects, including dispensaries, school laboratories, libraries, dormitories, and administrative buildings, as evidence of the Authority’s dedication to socio-economic development.

The school’s Chief Principal, Faith Waithaka, expressed gratitude for the donation, noting the hall’s potential to shield students from the harsh outdoor elements and provide a conducive space for academic and artistic pursuits. Additionally, area MCA Victor Nyanje called for more collaborations between schools and government agencies to supplement efforts in improving educational infrastructure.

This generous contribution by KPA not only underscores the importance of corporate involvement in educational development but also sets a precedent for how public entities can support the nurturing of talent and academic excellence in Kenya.

WEST POKOT, Kenya – In a significant move to enhance educational access for underprivileged students, West Pokot County has announced the disbursement of Ksh 600 million into its bursary fund. Governor Simon Kachapin, speaking at Chewoyet High School during the fund’s launch, underscored the initiative’s aim to ensure education is accessible to all students, irrespective of their financial background.

According to Kenya News Agency, the fund is a testament to the county government’s dedication to the principle that no child should be disadvantaged due to a lack of resources. The enhanced bursary amounts, now at Ksh20,000 for boarding school learners (up from Ksh15,000 last year), Ksh10,000 for college students, and Ksh5,000 for those in day schools, are designed to cover educational expenses throughout the year.

The governor emphasized that this bursary fund, the largest of its kind in the country, aims to alleviate the financial burden many families face in educating their children. With the allocation set to support 44,560 students across various educational stages, the initiative ensures that financial constraints do not hinder students’ academic progress.

Governor Kachapin highlighted the challenges in distributing bursaries, including impersonation and fraudulent applications, and issued a stern warning against dishonest practices in obtaining bursary funds. He expressed gratitude to partners and stakeholders for their support in launching the bursary fund, which he described as a critical investment in the future of education.

In addition to the county’s efforts, West Pokot County Commissioner Khalif Abdullai mentioned the national government’s collaboration with the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation to extend scholarships to 136 deserving students at risk of discontinuing their education. Abdullai also outlined the national government’s allocation of Ksh 30 million for bursaries through the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG CDF) and capitation funds to cover educational expenses for all students.

The commissioner stressed the government’s commitment to ensuring all students remain in school, highlighting policies against unauthorized fees and the goal of achieving 100% transition to education. He also addressed the county’s challenges, including low literacy rates and cultural practices detrimental to education, emphasizing efforts to combat these issues and promote peace and unity in the region.

Simon Wamae, West Pokot Director of Education, praised the county for prioritizing education and ensuring the effective utilization of resources. Francis Lotam, the county director of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), called on educators to judiciously use school resources to maximize the benefits of educational support provided through bursaries, capitation, and NG CDF.

This initiative marks a significant step toward empowering West Pokot’s youth through education, aiming to foster a brighter future for students and the broader community.

KILIFI, Kenya – The National Museum of Kenya (NMK), in partnership with Pwani University, has initiated a comprehensive project to research and document the history of the slave trade in Kenya. This collaboration aims to fill the significant gaps in the historical understanding and academic learning of the slave trade within the country.

According to Kenya News Agency, the project was unveiled during the release of a slavery documentary at Mnarani Ruins in Kilifi. Hussein pointed out that while the slave trade’s impact is well-documented in parts of East Africa, such as Zanzibar, Tanzania, Mozambique, Malawi, and Tanganyika, Kenya’s involvement and experiences have remained largely unexplored due to a lack of documentation and archived materials.

The research, supported by Polish partners, seeks to gather evidence of the slave trade’s presence in Kenya and preserve this history through books, documentaries, and artifacts for future generations. This initiative not only aims to revive the lost history but also serves as an educational tool for students and researchers to learn about this dark chapter of Kenyan history.

Hussein emphasized the importance of documenting the slave trade’s history in Kenya for self-awareness and to prevent modern illegal activities like human trafficking. He advocated for the inclusion of this history in school curricula and academic texts to ensure that future generations understand their past and the importance of safeguarding against similar injustices.

Pwani University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Extension, Paul Mwasimba, highlighted the necessity for in-depth research into the slave trade, acknowledging the many unanswered questions regarding the origins and selection processes of slaves within Kenya. The project plans to extend its research beyond Kenya to piece together more comprehensive historical narratives.

Ibrahim Busolo, an archaeology lecturer at Pwani University involved in the research, noted the challenge posed by the scarcity of slave trade materials in Kenya and the potential for copyright claims. This scarcity underlines the urgent need for the Kenyan government to embark on a serious research and documentation effort to enrich the nation’s historical archives.

Local resident Kaviha Chengo shared his family’s firsthand experiences with the slave trade, recounting how his grandfather and fellow villagers were deceived and captured by Arab traders. Chengo expressed relief at the opportunity to share his family’s story, underscoring the importance of preserving and disseminating this history for educational purposes and collective memory.

This joint initiative by the NMK and Pwani University represents a significant step towards uncovering and understanding Kenya’s role in the global slave trade, providing valuable insights for both historical documentation and future educational endeavors.