Governor Lonyangapuo has challenged the government to fully reopen schools to avert teenage pregnancies and early forced marriages. He said the rate of early pregnancy in West Pokot County stands at 29 per cent higher than the national figure of 18 per cent.
He now says that learners are safer in schools arguing that whereas parents are busy on the day to day activities, learners take that opportunity to engage in sexual activities.
The governor noted that some families are unable to provide for their children and opt to give them out for marriage. Some students have also been caught up in issues such as drug abuse due to idleness.
Cartels at the Ministry of Education?
West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo has taken issues with how the Ministry of Education has distributed funds to schools which were affected by landslide in Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot Counties.
According to the governor, unequal distribution threatens peaceful coexistence among the communities ling there. Among the affected schools was Liter Girls Secondary school which lies between the border of the two counties.
On April 18th this year, the deadliest landslide in the history of West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet hit the region killing 30 people as 7 bodies remained untraced.
According to the governor, schools which were affected in Elgeyo Marakwet received funding from the Ministry of Education to build back leaving those in West Pokot. Some students have not yet resumed learning in West Pokot as others are learning under trees.
“Every day we supply food to both schools from West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet. Why are you dividing us with hatred? If there is no money take back the one million and release to all affected schools equally. If it continues like this I will say there are cartels in the Ministry of Education.” Said Lonyangapuo.
