GRASSROOTS FIX

Solomon Taleng'o poses for a photo as he prepares to address members. Photo credit As the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Transmara branch prepares for its elections (2026-2031), Solomon Taleng’o has officially declared his candidacy for the position of Assistant Executive Secretary, competing against two other contestants. Taleng’o, a seasoned teacher in the constituency, is campaigning on a platform centered on transparency and accountability, promising to ensure that union finances, decisions, and activities are conducted openly and fairly. “I am ready to deliver for our members. I will ensure transparency, accountability, and that every decision we make benefits teachers and strengthens our union,” Taleng’o said. He added that under his leadership, KNUT members in Transmara will have a stronger voice, and governance within the branch will be participatory, ethical, and responsive. The elections are expected to take place later this year, with union members k...

Learners from Kilgoris Constituency on Thursday received bursaries during an exercise held at the CDF offices, aimed at easing the cost of education and supporting access to learning for vulnerable families. Several beneficiaries said it was their first time receiving bursary support, with some noting they had lived in the area for over 20 years without ever benefiting from such assistance. Parents and learners welcomed the exercise, describing it as timely and impactful. CDF Chairman Saruni cautioned beneficiaries against paying anyone to access the bursaries, stressing that the support was free. He warned parents and learners not to accept any attempts to sell bursaries to them, adding that cheques for university and college students had already been issued. Saruni also requested beneficiaries to submit school fee receipts to promote accountability. “Do not accept bursaries to be sold to you. This support is free, and no one should ask you for money,” Saruni said. The bur...

On the first day of the new school term, many classrooms in parts of Transmara remained half-empty as fear and uncertainty continued to grip families emerging from weeks of violence and displacement. Although schools officially reopened today, learner turnout was noticeably low, with parents citing insecurity and the ongoing dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed by the government as major obstacles to a smooth resumption of learning. The curfew, introduced to allow security agencies to recover illegal firearms and crack down on individuals linked to recent clashes, has restored relative calm but also deepened anxiety among residents. The curfew was announced in the following areas Oldonyo-Orok, Siteti, Ololoma, Corner, Ratiki, Isokon, Karinkani, Kondamet, Olkiloriti, Angata Barrikoi, Kapkeres, Lolgorian Town, Mashangwa and Sachangwan. Teachers and learners say the heavy security operations, while necessary, have left many families living in fear. At Sankale Primary School, one of the...

As insecurity continues to grip parts of Transmara South, education stakeholders have raised concerns over the safety of learners and teachers ahead of the January school reopening. Ezekiel Lelon, the Kenya Primary School Headteachers Association (KEPSHA) chairperson for Angata Zone and secretary for Transmara South, has urged the government to urgently strengthen security in affected areas to ensure uninterrupted learning. Speaking amid reports of continued violence, Lelon warned that fear and displacement could derail preparations for the new school term unless decisive action is taken. “The safety of our learners and teachers must be treated as a priority. Schools cannot operate effectively in an environment where there is fear and uncertainty,” said Lelon. He further appealed to the government to identify alternative locations for internally displaced persons (IDPs), noting that several schools are currently hosting displaced families, a situation he says could delay re...

WITO Talent Centre has marked a significant milestone in community-based education after successfully hosting its first-ever end-year celebration aimed at empowering children through learning, play, and talent discovery. The event was held on 26th December 2025 at Olomismis Location in Narok County, bringing together over 50 children, volunteers, parents, and community members. Unlike conventional end-year festivities, the celebration was intentionally structured around Kenya’s Competency-Based Education (CBE) framework. Children from all grades participated in activities designed to strengthen problem-solving, creativity, innovation, numeracy, and life skills, demonstrating how learning can continue beyond the classroom, even during school holidays. Through games, group challenges, creative expression and guided interactions, the children learned by doing. They collaborated in teams, solved simple problems, expressed ideas confidently and explored their individ...

For many Maasai girls, the journey through education is fragile, promising at first, but often cut short just as their dreams begin to take shape. Despite increased advocacy for the girl child and growing access to sponsorships, deeply rooted cultural practices continue to force girls out of school, particularly during their teenage years. In several Maasai communities, form two marks a dangerous turning point. It is the stage where girls are considered “grown,” and cultural expectations begin to outweigh academic ambition. Early marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), and teenage pregnancy converge to quietly erase girls from classrooms, replacing books with bridal preparations. Even sponsorship does not guarantee protection. Many girls drop out of school despite having sponsors committed to supporting them through secondary school and into college. The decision is rarely academic. Instead, it is cultural, shaped by family pressure, community norms and long-held beliefs...

As schools prepare to reopen in a few weeks’ time, hundreds of school-going children in Trans Mara South are grappling with fear, displacement and emotional distress following renewed clashes in the area. Instead of preparing uniforms, books, and school fees, many families are fleeing violence, sleeping in makeshift shelters and struggling to meet basic needs. The ongoing insecurity has disrupted the psychological and emotional stability of learners, raising serious concerns about their readiness to return to class. Children who have witnessed violence, lost homes and been forced to flee are likely to return to school carrying trauma that affects their concentration, memory and overall academic performance. The situation is particularly worrying for candidates who recently sat the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) and are expected to transition to Grade 10 under the Competency-Based Education system. For these learners, the uncertainty caused by displaceme...