Kerio Valley region has been in the limelight for decades, all for the wrong reasons attributed to frequent incidents of vicious cattle rustling and banditry raids among the warring communities sharing the
common border of the volatile region.
The vast region which has been rocked by insecurity over water and pasture borders West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo counties in the North Rift region.
At least 2,000 lives have been lost in the past two years following the banditry and cattle rustling attacks.
But in a bid to address these perennial insecurity challenges that have bedevilled the volatile region, a private learning institution – Nehema Institute of Science and Technology has set up a campus in Marigat town, Baringo County.
The campus is aimed at providing education to youths in the region to empower the targeted vulnerable groups.
About 200 students from the volatile region have so far graduated from the Nehema Institute of Science and Technology after undertaking various artisans’ courses that include Hairdressing, Barbering, Agriculture, Food and Beverage among others.
The graduation ceremony was presided over by the Director of the institution Dr Joseph Chepkwony and Baringo South Member of Parliament Charles Kamuren who implored the graduates to open up their minds and hearts for the jobs available in other parts of the country to get exposure away from home.
“We want you to use the skills and knowledge acquired for self-empowerment and help change this community, we want you to help bring change and have a community where everyone understands the importance of peace,” said Chepkwony.
Education boost in Kerio Valley
While congratulating the graduates, the two-term MP assured them of support to enable them to continue with their education at higher levels as he urged them to encourage more youths to embrace education for change.
“Let’s work together to bring the desired change in our society and ensure that we end the challenges of poverty, illiteracy and banditry that have hampered the implementation of social and economic development by the national and county governments. We are tired of witnessing the loss of innocent lives and property in the hands of armed bandits and I would like to thank Nehema Institute for the initiative that has continued to see our young people get skills for empowerment,” noted the area MP.
Further, Kamuren lauded the institute for its bold move to establish a campus in the region and besides, deploy teaching and non-teaching staff despite other leading institutions giving the area a wide berth.
The Director of the institution said they have sponsored more than 100 bright students from needy backgrounds in the area since the institution was established and many have become self-employed and
others have gotten jobs in various devolved units and the private sector across the country.
Dr Chepkwony however, asked parents, leaders and society in the region to encourage and support students willing to go to school for posterity.
