By Joel Clinton
Parents and residents of Manyatta A and Manyatta B are worried about the poor drainage system at Wandiege Mixed Primary School located in Kasawino. They say the situation gets worse when it rains, putting pupils’ health at serious risk.
The school serves hundreds of students from both Manyatta A and Manyatta B estates since it’s the only public school in the area offering the CBC curriculum affordable to parents. It becomes hard to access during the rainy season because of flooding caused by the inadequate drainage around the school and nearby areas.
Residents report that heavy rainfall creates large pools of stagnant water at the school gate and within the compound. This makes it very difficult for pupils to reach their classrooms.Josephat Oulo,a Community member note that the water entering the school comes from the residential areas uphill. Unfortunately, it usually includes sewage and garbage washed down from the nearby neighborhoods.
Charles Omondi a parent, indicate that the situation not only complicates access to the school but also exposes children to harmful health risks.“During the rainy season, the entire entrance gets flooded,” He explained. “Children have to walk through dirty water mixed with waste and sewage just to enter the school.”
Some parents point out that younger pupils are hit hardest because they struggle to navigate the muddy and flooded paths to their classrooms. In some cases, pupils arrive at school with wet uniforms and muddy shoes, making it hard for them to stay comfortable throughout the day.
Community members worry that the stagnant water and poor sanitation could expose learners to diseases like cholera, diarrhea, and other infections linked to contaminated water.Residents say this issue has been ongoing for a long time, yet little has been done to fix the drainage problem around the school.
Local leaders and parents are now asking the Ministry of Education, along with local administration and relevant county authorities, to take immediate action.
They urge the government to build proper drainage channels around the school to ensure rainwater flows safely away from the compound.
Community members believe that improving the drainage system will make the school more accessible during the rainy season and protect pupils from exposure to contaminated water and unhealthy waste.For the families of Manyatta A and Manyatta B, ensuring a safe learning environment for their children is a top priority.
