By Lucy Wanjiru
Kakamega, a county in Kenya’s western region, has been grappling with a severe lack
of basic services, leaving its residents in neglect. Poorly equipped schools and hospitals
without medicine have become the norm, depriving the community of essential human
rights. The situation has reached a critical point, with residents expressing frustration at
the government’s failure to address these issues.
In the education sector, schools are overcrowded, underfunded, and lack basic facilities.
Students are forced to learn in dilapidated classrooms with limited access to textbooks
and other learning materials. This has led to poor educational outcomes, perpetuating
the poverty cycle in the region. Meanwhile, the healthcare system is in shambles, with
hospitals lacking essential drugs and equipment. Patients are often turned away or left
to suffer due to the unavailability of basic medical care.
The denial of these basic rights has sparked outrage among residents, demanding
immediate action from the government. They argue that access to quality education and
healthcare is a fundamental right that should not be compromised. Gen Z, in particular,
has been vocal in condemning the neglect, using social media to draw attention to the
dire situation and calling for urgent reforms. The call for action is clear: the government
must prioritize the needs of its citizens and ensure that every Kenyan has access to the
basic services they deserve.
