More than 800 orphans, whose parents died during the Pokot -Turkana conflict, and other vulnerable children have benefited from bursaries worth Kshs 3 million courtesy of Northern Rangelands Trust and Tullow Oil Company.
According to Uwezo Kenya survey in 2014 more than 60,000 children who are supposed to be in school aren’t going to school in West Pokot County due to retrogressive practices and insecurity challenges that were experienced in the area.
Speaking during the issuing of the funds at Orwa village, Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) North Rift Coordinator Mr. Titus Peghin said the program intends to boost education and change the mindset of residents from engaging in retrogressive practices like cattle rustling and banditry by sponsoring secondary and college students to go to school. He said the funds will help children from families who were hit by cases of insecurity.
Peghin said that the initiative will improve lives in West Pokot communities who have embraced conservation by supporting education in marginalized communities. He pointed out that the area has great potential and untapped resources and urged investors to invest in the area, adding that residents have embraced conservation, “Since we started community conservancies, residents have seen the importance of conservation through education,” he said.
Masol Community Conservancy Chairperson Mr. Joseph Seketion said many children in the area still needs help, “Many children are still in villages. We need more funds to invest in sectors like tourism so that residents can generate income and can also engage in businesses.”
