Wajir West MP sponsors school fees for drought-affected students

The region, like much of northern Kenya, has experienced repeated droughts that have led to widespread loss of livestock, the main source of income for many households. As a result, many parents have struggled to keep their children in school.

According to local education stakeholders, the MP’s education support programme targets students from vulnerable families, with beneficiary selection conducted through schools and community structures.

Ali Hassan, a Form Three student who received support, said the assistance helped him remain in school after his family lost most of its livestock.

“I was about to drop out because my parents could not raise the fees. This support has allowed me to continue with my studies,” he said.

Parents also welcomed the programme, saying it had eased the financial strain caused by the drought.

“The livestock are gone, and paying school fees became impossible,” said Ahmed, whose two children benefited. “This support has kept our children in school.”

School administrators in the constituency say drought-related poverty has contributed to rising absenteeism and dropouts in recent years.

Abdulaziz Hadado, a secondary school principal in Wajir West, said many students had been sent home over unpaid fees before the intervention.

“This programme has helped stabilize learning for many students whose parents were unable to pay,” he said.

Rahma, the headmistress of Wajir Girls Secondary School, said climate-related shocks often affect education first in arid areas.

“When families lose their livelihoods, education becomes difficult to sustain. Support like this helps protect learners from dropping out,” she said.

The MP has said the initiative is part of broader efforts to support education in a region facing recurring climate-related challenges.