Moi Masol Academy Primary school, a border school in Central Pokot sub County which was vandalized by bandits thirteen years ago in 1996 and closed will be rehabilitated at a cost of Kshs 62 million courtesy of the European Union through the National Drought Management Authority(NDMA).
The school was set up in the 1980s by former president Daniel Arap Moi along the volatile Turkana-Pokot border to foster peace among the two warring communities.
Masol area along the West Pokot and Turkana border was a battle field for cattle rustlers in 1980s and 1990s where
The school has most of its roofs blown away and it needed donor funding for refurbishment to see to it that it becomes fully operational.
Area residents near the school, migrated with their children from their homes to other parts that were safe for their lives after the school compound become a centreground for raiders.
However, in 2016, conflicts and cases of cattle rustling dropped in the area and residents began relocating back to their original homes in the location.
The school which was reopened five years ago after relative peace resumed in the area is the only primary school around, having standard one to seven classes, and has started enrolling pupils to the school. The number is increasing as most children especially girls run to the school after escaping early forced marriages and Female genital Mutilation.
Though peace has resumed in the area, pupils in the school learn
Speaking while launching the rehabilitation of the school, Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa said the school will be renovated at a cost of Kshs 14 million in the first phase to construct classes and dormitories.
CS Wamalwa said that children from pastoral communities will get education and stay and eat there during drought. National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) CEO James Odour urged residents from the two communities to bring children in the school. “We shall have children from both Pokot and Turkana communities,” said Odour. Devolution Principal Secretary Micah Powon said the school will help promote peace in the area. “Education is the only tool for development,” he said.
Sigor MP
Lochakapong said the school is fundamental in promoting cohesion among the border residents, necessary to end enmity between the communities. “Despite the disputes, residents now live relative peace. We shall also use the Constituency Development Fund to help the school,” he said.