By Betty Luke
The prolonged drought in Isiolo County has subjected families to suffering as they travel for long distances in search of water and pasture for domestic and livestock use putting learners at the risk of dropping out of school.
Nearly 90 percent of water sources across the county have dried up, according to the National Drought and Management Authority (NDMA) with the majority of the areas partly relying on water trucking.
Hundreds of learners in far flung parts of the county are yet to report to school after the mid-term break with several schools already shut down due to lack of water.
They include Alango, Dololodakiye, Dadachabasa and Adhewarabesa primary schools and Dadachabasa Secondary.
Isiolo County Parents Association Chairperson Mr Ismael Galma said several schools were grappling with shortage with some forced to shut down due to insecurity that has seen boreholes they have been relying on vandalised.
Mr Galma said Bassa Primary and Secondary had also been affected.
The Press Point has established that water supply to some of the schools in Isiolo Sub-County have been disconnected due to pending bills.
“Several schools are grappling with the challenge to an extent of learners being forced to carry water to school. The situation could adversely affect performance if the government does not take immediate action,” said Mr Galma.
Education officials revealed that no learner had reported to the five schools and called on the county government to intervene and help salvage the situation.
“We are afraid they might not be back to school until we have regular water supply,” one of the education officials who did not want to be named as is not authorised to speak to media said.
