Deputy President William Ruto has warned the perpetrators of retrogressive practices like female genital mutilation and early marriages that the government will not condone repugnant cultures which hinder education. DP Ruto tasked administration officers to arrest and bring to book the FGM culprits and elders who marry off girls at an early age citing that the outdated cultural practices have hindered girls from accessing quality education and barring them from achieving their goals. “I have four girls and they are all educated. If I get any man messing with the girls I will deal with them,” he said.
He said the government will invest in the girl child education and address challenges facing girls in the country. He was addressing residents at Kodich area where he laid a foundation stone for the construction of Kodich Technical Training Institute on Monday, and insisted that the government has set aside millions of money for the education ministry so that every child goes to school. “The jubilee government is offering free education to primary school learners and students in day schools at secondary level. Those parents who don’t take their children to school will face the full force of the law,” he said.
He urged youths in the area to embrace technical learning skills and taking advantage of the technical institutes in the country
DP Ruto, who also opened a dormitory to house girls who were rescued from retrogressive practices said he will support education in the region. “Rescue centers should be used adequately and the number of girls in both primary and secondary schools should be same. There is no reason for any child not to be in school,” he said.
However, he avoided politics, calling on Kenyans to embrace unity and foster peace in the country. He added that he is after changing the image of Pokot through tangible development and the Jubilee government has no time for stories and rhetoric.
He was accompanied by the area governor John Lonyangapuo, Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama, Sigor MP Peter Lochakapong, Kacheliba MP Mark Lomunokol, Kapenguria MP Samuel Moroto and West Pokot women rep Lilian Tomitom. He urged West Pokot leaders to work as a team and avoid divisive politics in order to change the community image. On his part, Governor Lonyangapuo urged the government to employ teachers in marginalized areas so as to improve literacy levels.
