Top government officials race to increase enrollment at St Agatha Mokwo Girls

The Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, has inaugurated the annual St Agatha Mokwo Girls Secondary School Race in Kaptarakwa Ward, Keiyo South Constituency, Elgeyo Marakwet County.

Koskei said the initiative seeks to support the revival of the school, an Extra-County institution with low enrolment, by drawing attention to the centrality of girls’ education and strengthening academic and co-curricular outcomes in the region.

Themed ‘Running for Hope: A Healthy Environment to Nurture Talent, Empower Girls, and Support Needy Students, the race brought together education, sport, social inclusion, and environmental stewardship within a single community platform.

“The event also raised awareness on the conservation of the Kaptagat Forest, recognising its critical environmental, community, and regional significance. Activities included a five-kilometre community race and several track events held at the St Agatha Mokwo Girls’ School grounds.

During the event, improved dairy cows, Dorper sheep, and super Napier animal feeds were distributed through the Kaptagat Integrated Conservation Programme, which aims to empower communities and conserve forests.

Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen, Governor Wisley Rotich and National Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo are among other government officials who participated in the 5KM race.

Others were area MP Gideon Kimaiyo, Principal Secretary for Water and Sanitation Julius Korir, his Forestry counterpart Gitonga Mugambi and Principal Secretary for Gender and Affirmative Action Anne Wangombe.

Koskei said President William Ruto’s administration is making deliberate efforts to ensure that all Grade 10 students transition to senior school, while also improving learning infrastructure across the schools.

His sentiments were echoed by National Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo, who said the school was once a powerhouse that produced outstanding academics who continue to serve the country.

According to him, the school’s performance has, however, tremendously declined over the years.

“Today, we walked together in solidarity to restore hope and reaffirm our collective commitment to see the school regain its former glory,” Kiptoo said.

He said under Ruto’s leadership, all leaders are moving forward with a clear focus on empowering societies and achieving a lasting economic transformation.

The move, however, comes after the Ministry of Education signalled a major policy shift that could see some secondary schools with persistently low enrolment merged.

This will ensure the government improve access to quality education and ensures efficient use of resources.

Speaking during the ‘Global Partnership for Education-Education financing in Nairobi, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said the ministry will begin auditing transition numbers in senior schools to determine institutions that may no longer be viable due to low student intake.

“Our work as a ministry is to sit down and decide and see, do we still need to keep holding these schools, or should we invest more in schools that we require and which already have the facilities. There will be no point in having a school with 10 students,” Ogamba said.

The remarks come amid growing concern over poor transition rates, particularly in Cluster 4 senior schools in some parts of the country.

The former Sub-County schools, which are normally day secondary schools, have struggled to attract learners under the new placement system.

The issue has raised questions about the sustainability of some institutions and the quality of education they can realistically offer.

Education officials attribute the low enrolment to inadequate facilities in some day schools and the option given to learners to change schools during the selection and placement process.

These dynamics have left some institutions severely underutilised.

But Ogamba said the government is keen to address the imbalance by rationalising schools and concentrating investments where they will have the greatest impact.