Insecurity and Conflict in Kenya Affect Education in Northern Region

Poverty and frequent conflicts among pastoralist communities in northern Kenya have prevented thousands of children from enrolling in school and made them more likely to commit acts of violence, local leaders and government officials said. Hassan Noor Hassan, Rift Valley provincial commissioner, said school-age youngsters have been involved in recent clashes between communities in parts of the Samburu, Laikipia, and Marsabit districts. Noor said a recent government assessment established that 71,000 children were out of school in Turkana District, 25,000 in Samburu District, and another 3,800 in Laikipia District. Samburu councilor Daniel Legerded said the conflicts had increased poverty and illiteracy levels in the district. Loss of livestock to cattle raiders also meant that parents could no longer pay for their children's secondary education, he said. "We need a commitment to assist these children. We need boarding schools everywhere so that when conflicts erupt, children are safe and learning is not disrupted," he said. (IRIN, August 21)