West Pokot County celebrated the day of African Child under this year’s theme “Conflict and Crisis in Africa: Protecting all Children’s Rights”.
The celebrations organized by World Vision and held at Turkwel brought together children from West Pokot and Turkana counties in a move to bring together the two worrying communities that have been at war for many years.
Residents from the Pokot and Turkana communities turned up to commemorate an African child whereby poems and songs of peace dominated the event.
Hundreds of children along the Turkwel corridor have been missing schools, receiving poor quality schooling or at risk of dropping out of school because of insecurity that has been experienced in the area.
World Vision project officer in West Pokot County Sammy Limo said they have constructed classes and dormitories in some primary schools to help the Pokot child access quality education in a comfortable manner
He pointed out that in the past years the area had no schools because of insecurity and cattle rustling but like an organization they have tried to build schools for the marginalized community for children get good education.
“We have done advocacy and awareness on the importance of the community to embrace education and shun from traditional practices. The situation right now has totally changed,” he said.
He said despite peace prevailing in the area early marriage and female genital mutilation force the Pokot girl out of school.
Kapenguria MP Samuel Moroto who was the chief guest during the event, said that children have suffered in the society for many years and it’s high time for both the national and county governments to consider education as a priority to every child.
He urged teacher’s service commission to employ more teachers in the county without basing on tribalism.
Moroto said constituency development fund CDF has built schools along the border area to ensure that development is realized between the two communities and promote coexistence.
“Children from Pokot and Turkana are now learning under one roof. As parents we should allow our kids to attend school without discrimination” said Moroto.