State invests millions in new school in West Pokot to foster peace, education

BY ANTHONY MELLY AND AGNETA CHEBET, KNA 

The Government has constructed a multi-million-shilling primary school in West Pokot County to serve as a peace and education center for the locals and neighboring communities. 

Sangak Primary School, situated in Pokot Central SubCounty, is an initiative from the government to provide quality education while fostering peace and stability among communities affected by banditry. 

The school is located in an area that has historically faced challenges related to conflict and limited access to educational resources along the boundary of West Pokot and Turkana Counties. Olando Sitati, the Managing Director in the President’s Delivery Unit for the Rift Valley Region, stated that the school would be a center of peace and education. 

Sitati led a team from the Office of the President to inspect the quality of the ongoing construction work, the sustainability of the project, and its potential impact on the local community. He noted that the construction of the boarding school is progressing well, with approximately 80 per cent of the work completed. 

Mr Sitati expressed satisfaction with the construction progress, stating that the government is optimistic about launching the project within the next two to three weeks following the final phase of construction, making it a valuable resource for different communities. 

He noted that the inspection of the Sangak Primary School construction work is an essential task for the government and for local stakeholders to continue monitoring its progress and gather feedback from the community to ensure that the school facility meets the needs of its students and serves its intended purpose. 

Sitati reiterated that the government has listened to the concerns raised by residents and is committing to enhance security in the school area. West Pokot County Director of Education Simon Wamae praised government efforts in establishing the project in an area that is historically faced by security challenges. 

Wamae expressed optimism that the education project will bring significant positive changes, not only for the local population but also for neighboring communities. He said the new facility will help address major challenges in the area such as education disparities along the area prone to insecurity. 

“The boarding school at Sangat Primary School is part of a broader effort to enhance educational opportunities in areas affected by insecurity,” Wamae said.