Pupils standby a water tank at Riongo primary school. [Photo/kbctv.co.ke]
At least 11 primary schools in Silale Ward of Tiaty Constituency, Baringo County are faced with imminent closure due to acute water shortage.
The water crisis occasioned by prolonged drought ravaging the region would lead to closure of Nathan, Nasorot, Naudo, Napeikore, Riong’o, Napukut, Orishon, Kitailem, Toplen, Silale ECDE and Akule primary schools, as residents have already started migration from the affected areas in search water for domestic use and their livestock.
Following the severe drought and famine, absenteeism among pupils was very high, as parents engaged them in looking for the precious commodity for more than 30 kilometers away.
The only TSC teacher at Riong’o Victor Nakomer says the school, which last year had a population of 159, currently has only 127 pupils, a majority of them being absent.
Nakomer said they exhausted the little-harvested water two weeks ago and they might be forced to close the school if the government or charitable organizations do not intervene by supplying water.