Nataparkakono Primary School, perched on the edge of Turkana Central and Loima constituencies in
Kenya’s North Rift region, is a poignant example of how political confusion
and neglect can cripple public education. Despite serving as an official polling
station during elections, the school’s deteriorating condition has left
parents outraged and children learning in perilous environments.
Crumbling
Classrooms and Forgotten Promises
Originally established in 2008 through the
efforts of a local church, the school now sits in ruin. Two classrooms have
completely collapsed, while the remaining structures are riddled with cracks,
leaking roofs, and crumbling walls. Latrines are dangerously unstable, and
when it rains, pupils are forced to study under leaking ceilings.
This appalling state of infrastructure is
compounded by the school’s symbolic role in national democracy—as a polling
station since 2007. Yet, it lacks basic government investment and has not
received any significant infrastructure development from either the Turkana
Central or Loima Constituency NG-CDF.
Jurisdictional
Confusion: The Education Victim
According to local residents, the school has
become the unfortunate casualty of boundary politics. In 2017, political
maneuvers saw the administrative control of the school shifted from Turkana
Central to Loima Sub-County. The aim, some say, was to influence the
transfer of the polling station.
“We’ve seen political games cost our children
their future. The classrooms are collapsing, and no one is willing to take
responsibility,” said Egialan Loa, a concerned parent.
Another local, Jackson Loteria,
expressed deep frustration, noting that no structured support from NG-CDF
has been offered since the school’s inception. He warned that if the government
does not step in before the start of the second school term, parents will withhold
their children from attending school.
“We want our school built, not debated. Our
children deserve a safe learning environment,” Loteria said.
Lack of
Teachers and Basic Services Amplifies the Crisis
In addition to structural problems,
Nataparkakono Primary also grapples with a shortage of trained teachers,
further hampering students’ academic progress. Parents say the learning
environment has become both unsafe and academically deficient, and
they’re calling for urgent intervention from the Ministry of Education
and local leadership.
The village, which serves over 3,000
residents, remains underserved in broader government services. Patrick
Etaba, another villager, urged the government to elevate the area to
sub-location status, arguing it would bring essential resources and focus
to the community.
MP Admits
Overlap, Promises Possible Future Funding
In response to public pressure, Loima MP Dr
Protus Akuja acknowledged the overlapping constituency boundaries,
confirming that the school is technically within Turkana Central.
However, he admitted that the school has historically been associated with
Loima and confirmed discussions with NG-CDF officials to possibly
include the institution in future budget plans.
“We may not have jurisdiction now, but we
cannot ignore the community’s plea. I’ve asked our team to coordinate with the
school committee for possible improvements,” said Dr Akuja.
When
Politics Overshadow Education
The crisis at Nataparkakono Primary School is
a stark reminder of how political ambiguity and administrative inaction
can leave critical community institutions to decay. With no clear constituency
claiming responsibility, the school’s fate hangs in the balance—along with the
futures of hundreds of children.
As the second term nears, the call for
urgent government intervention grows louder. For residents of this remote
Turkana border village, education is no longer just a right—it’s a battle for
survival.
