Those who head pastoralist communities have brought to the government’s attention the alarming rate of illiteracy within their communities.
They have also identified their lifestyle as a primary reason for this concerning trend.
As a result, the patron of the Pastoralist Parliamentary Group, Saku MP Dida Rasso, recently petitioned the president of the country, William Ruto to bolster the National Council for Nomadic Education in Kenya (Naconek).
As reported by The Star, Rasso, noted that the growing rate of illiterate children in arid and semi-arid regions cannot be tackled without empowering this group.
The National Council for Nomadic Education in Kenya had been established in 2015 for this very purpose.
“The nomadic lifestyle, which requires families to move in search of water and pasture, presents unique challenges to education,” Rasso said during the Pastoralist Leadership Summit in Wajir town.
“As a result, 1.9 million children across 15 pastoralist counties are missing out on education,” he added.
One solution he proposed was to build more boarding schools, which would retain youngsters in one location rather than being constantly on the move.
Furthermore, he called for more funds to be pumped into the education system to ensure adequate feeding programs.
Farah Maalim, the MP for Dada ab and a member of the Pastoralist Parliamentary Group spotlighted drug trafficking as a major factor contributing to the high rate of school dropouts, as seen in the Star’s report.
“Our region is flooded with drugs and this is a major driver of school dropout rates. We call on the government and security agencies to remain vigilant and take action against this growing problem,” he said.
Pastoralist Communities
Pastoralist communities are made up of individuals who live mostly on cattle herding.
These settlements are frequently located in areas with arid or semi-arid climates that make agricultural production difficult.
Pastoralism is a traditional way of life that is frequently associated with cultural traditions, social organization, and ecological adaptability.
Some examples of these groups include the Maasai, Samburu, and Turkana communities in Kenya and Tanzania.
They typically have deep knowledge of their environments and adapt their practices to sustain their livelihoods while managing fragile ecosystems.
Many pastoralists are nomadic or semi-nomadic, moving with their herds in search of water and pasture.
