Parents protest against church school’s decision to plant maize on two-acre playing field
A school in Keese Primary School in Keiyo ward, Trans Nzoia County has decided to plant maize on the institution’s two-acre playing field, and parents are now up in arms.
Several parents who spoke to People Daily expressed dissatisfaction at the manner in which the Reformed Church of Kenya who are the school sponsors have handled the matter without involving parents who are the major stakeholders.
They say the church is killing the kids’ sporting dreams. ‘’This school has been in existence since 1958 and most of us studied here as kids. We were using this playing ground which turned the livelihoods of most learners who have played football in big teams in Kenya as others became runners who have excelled in life’’, said Jamin Wafula, a parent.
Wafula said it was wrong turning the school playing field into an agricultural farm and asked the authorities to intervene in order to save the talents of the children.
The parents asked Trans Nzoia County Director of Education Dr. Salome Maina and Kwanza member of Parliament Ferdinand Wanyonyi to intervene and save the deteriorating image of the school.
They now threaten to transfer their children to other schools, claiming that the government had kept silent on the church’s move.
Keiyo Ward representative Emmanuel Waswa Simiyu called for an amicable solution to help end growing hostilities.
Both the County Director of Education and the area Member of Parliament confirmed that the matter was under scrutiny.
“Yes, I'm aware of the matter pertaining to Kesses Primary School land and the matter is now being handled by Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Sam Ojwang and the National land Commission,’’Maina said.
On his Part, Kwanza MP said the church should have consulted parents and area leaders before taking such actions.
He urged parents not to transfer their children to other schools, saying the matter would be solved amicably.
