Narok AP officers' mission to keep girls in school bearing fruit

The four Administration Police officers behind Operation Okoa Watoto pose with one of the girls rescued and Siana sub-chief Nkilisho Kuntai (in pullover) at Nkoilale Primary School. [PHOTO: KIPCHUMBA KEMEI/STANDARD]

NAROK COUNTY: Four Administration Police (AP) officers in the Mara region of Narok County have rescued 273 pupils this year from forced marriages and moranism, an undertaking that is winning them accolades.

The APs' work has helped residents in the region change their perception of a police force whose name has over the years been synonymous with harassing and extorting the public.

Schools in Mara are recording a surge in enrollment and transitions because of their efforts under the auspices of "Operation Okoa Watoto" that have seen many reluctant parents - who see their young girls and boys as sources of wealth and symbols of status - commit themselves to not interfering with their education.

Sergeant Mwaura Gaitho, Corporal Lincoln Mutiso and constables Stephen Karunde and Nicolas Odinga, all based at Nkoilale AP Post, have gone beyond the call of duty to ensure that Maasai children attend school unhindered.

PAYING RENT

Working closely with local chiefs in the region, they are even paying rent for an office and custody (cell) to ensure that parents honour their obligation to take their children to school.

Last week, the APs rescued a Standard Four pupil whose father had planned to marry her off to an old man.

The minor, a 13-year-old pupil of Nkoilale Primary School, was forcefully circumcised during the April school holidays and allowed to go back home while her husband-to-be prepared to pay her father dowry in the form of blankets, sheep, goats and cows.

When the suitor turned up with the dowry, the girl ran to the AP post. Mr Gaitho, who heads the post, took her to school and arrested her father.

He was later released to go and pay school fees after he made a written and signed commitment at the camp and the local assistant chief's offices that he would not interfere with her studies again.

Nkilisho Kuntai, an assistant chief for Siana sub-location, and the school's head teacher, Joseph Ololsikkanyi, had the girl readmitted as a boarder for fear that her father would interfere with her learning if she remained a day student.

"We decided that she should be boarding at the school to ensure that she continues with her education unhindered. There is fear that her father might withdraw her from school again and take her to Tanzania, where he has relatives, for her to be married," said Mr Ololsikanyi.

At Kishermoruak Primary School where 130 pupils have been rescued from early marriages, moranism and cattle herding, head teacher Jonathan Mayone says there was resistance from parents when the campaign to ensure that all school-age children enrolled in schools began.

But when the Administration Police intervened, the campaign started to bear fruit.

OFFICERS PRAISED

"Most pupils here start school between 13 and 15 years because their parents have not embraced education. This campaign, which has been absent in the area, is succeeding," said Mr Mayone, adding he was now unpopular with parents who still had not embraced education.

John Mosingor, a parent from Nkoilale, who at one time was against his children attending school, is full of praise for the officers.

"I didn't know that what the police were doing would one day start bearing fruit. My daughter, whom they rescued from the marriage plans I had for her, is now doing well," he says.

Narok South Sub-county Commissioner Stephen Nyakundi said the APs' campaigns were successful so far.

"These officers have changed the people's perception about the police. Their work has seen many children attend or remain in school," said Mr Nyakundi, who is also the chairman of the sub-county education committee.