Governor Lenku launches school reading clubs initiative for Kajiado

The initiative aims, in partnership with Grassroot Nest for Innovation and Change (GRiC) Africa, aims to enhance reading culture, improve literacy outcomes, nurture values and life skills, and streamline book management across primary schools throughout the county.  

Speaking at the launch, Kajiado governor Joseph Ole Lenku said the county leadership was determined to increase literacy levels in the region. 

"This is a gruelling battle; it's not an easy win, especially when the results for Kajiado County came, and we were presented with a D-minus. I felt that Kajiado County should not be at that rank, and that is how this journey started, and it is not ending any soon, till the learning outcomes of our children meet the threshold that can enable them to live and thrive in this world," the Governor said. 

At the same time, GRiC representative, Samwel Mwayi emphasized the urgent need for collective effort towards promoting foundational learning in Kajiado, and in similar communities across the country.  

"We need to take action now and sustain the efforts beyond this launch, as a collective, to ensure that the gains made are not lost,” Mwayi said.

The launch on Monday brought together key stakeholders across the education sector, including the Kajiado County Director of Education, the Teachers Service Commission, CECM in charge of Education, Vocational Training, Youth and Sports, Quality Assurance Director, KUPPET, KECSSHA, Head of Institutions (HoIs), Parental Association and BoM leads from across Kajiado.  

"Establishing functional reading clubs at school gives learners the environment and resources they need to develop strong foundational reading skills," said Rosemary Sokotian, Kajiado County TSC Director.

The initiative was convened and coordinated through the Kajiado County education leadership, with the County Director of Education, Dr. Martin Cheruiyot, bringing together education stakeholders from across the county to support the rollout of the reading clubs.