Elimu Conference to tackle learning gaps in Elgeyo Marakwet

Moi University VC Kiplagat Kotut and Education PS Julius Bitok during an education event at the institution /MATHEWS NDANYI

Elgeyo Marakwet County will on Friday host its inaugural Elimu Conference to identify and address challenges affecting the education sector in the region.

The one-day conference, expected to draw more than 2,500 delegates, will be held at the Lorna Kiplagat Academy in Iten.

Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen and Governor Wisley Rotich will host the forum.  

Education CS Julius Ogamba and PS Julius Bitok are expected to attend the conference.

“As leaders and stakeholders from our county, we are meeting to review the entire education sector. We have gaps which we want to address as we seek progress,” Rotich said.

The sessions are designed to sensitise education stakeholders on the implementation of Competency-Based Education and tackle poor academic performance in county schools.

Expected attendees include school principals, student representatives, academics, education administrators, teacher union leaders and other leading professionals.

Organised under the auspices of the OKM Foundation, the conference is the first of its kind in the county. The foundation, founded in 2023, sponsors 200 students annually in schools and colleges, runs mentorship programmes and nurtures talent through sports tournaments across North Rift.

Lower parts of Elgeyo Marakwet are still recovering from decades of banditry, which has affected the quality of education.

Other challenges include high teacher-student ratios, poor infrastructure—particularly the lack of laboratories—and low transition rates to senior schools and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.

“Bringing this county on par with the rest of the country is urgent. No one stakeholder has the silver bullet to solve this problem, and that is why we are bringing everyone together to explore the best ways to raise educational standards in the shortest time possible,”  Murkomen said.

Leading educationists and officials from the Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission will present on various topics, while Nacada will sensitise attendees on alcohol and substance abuse.

Other leaders expected at the conference include Keiyo North MP Adams Kipsanai, Treasury PS Chris Kiptoo, TVET PS Esther Muoria, Woman Representative Caroline Ng'elechei, county assembly speaker Lawi Kibire, Keiyo South MP Gideon Kimaiyo, Senator William Kipsang, Marakwet West MP Timothy Kipchumba, Marakwet East MP Kangogo Bowen and acting TSC chief executive officer Evaleen Mitei.