Kakamega East Assistant County Commissioner(ACC) has raised concerns over the troubling relationship between bullfighting, gold mining, and the declining education levels in the region.
James Ajwang highlighted that these activities are diverting youth from pursuing higher education, despite the county’s wealth of educational institutions.
Ajwang noted that many young people in areas like Ikolomani and Shinyalu are obtaining grades in the C range during their secondary education, yet fail to transition into post-secondary education.
Instead, they are drawn into the lucrative but limiting worlds of bullfighting and gold mining.
“It’s concerning when we see students with decent grades opting for immediate earnings rather than furthering their education,” he explained.
Despite the presence of renowned institutions such as Sigalagala National Polytechnic and Masinde Muliro University, Ajwang questioned why local students are not capitalizing on these opportunities.
“We have trained educators from Luo Nyanza who once taught in primary schools and went on to become professors. Our youth can follow a similar path if they choose education over short-term gains,” he emphasized.
Ajwang also urged the county government to enhance the utilization of national funds to provide additional bursaries for underprivileged students, supplementing the national government’s coverage of 60% to 70% of school fees.
“Investment in education is crucial for breaking this cycle,” he insisted.
Moreover, he called on the local leaders to reframe bullfighting as a recognized sport, potentially unlocking avenues for funding and support.
His remarks came during the graduation ceremony of over 300 workers who completed free training in the hospitality sector, a program sponsored by the Wildlife and Tourism Ministry in partnership with the polytechnic.
As Kakamega grapples with these educational challenges, the call for action is clear: fostering an environment where education is prioritized over immediate financial gain could be the key to a brighter future for its youth.
By Albert Muteshi
