Senator Okenyuri dons school uniform, urges students to embrace reading culture

**Nominated Senator Esther Okenyuri distributing textbooks to students at Mosenseme Secondary School in Bomachoge Borabu constituency, Kisii County.** [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

Nominated Senator Esther Okenyuri has urged school-going children to embrace a reading culture.

Okenyuri said students have the energy to critically think and apply the knowledge they have gained in solving life challenges they encounter.

She spoke at Mosenseme Secondary School in Bomachoge Borabu constituency, Kisii County where she donated textbooks to over 500 students through her Essy Okenyuri Foundation.

While donning a school uniform, the legislator said education remained to be a cardinal catalyst for change in modern society.

**Nominated Senator Esther Okenyuri interracts with students at Mosenseme Secondary School in Bomachoge Borabu constituency, Kisii County.** [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

"Education is an equaliser and it is a pivotal instrument in levelling the ground for the affluent and less privileged in the society," she said.

Ms Okenyuri said through her foundation she is committed to donating more textbooks and other learning materials to needier schools across Kisii County.

According to her, under her program christened ‘Mchakato wa Usomi’ she aims to bridge the class gap that has disadvantaged many school-going children.

"I'll continue to partner with like-minded individuals and organisations like Moran Publishers to empower children from humble backgrounds" she added

She also commended teachers across the county for the incredible job they are doing.

Dr Robert Wesonga who teaches Literature at the University of Kabianga – Kericho in one of his articles published in the Standard argues that when school-going children adopt and practice a culture of reading, it has benefits that accrue to an individual, and the society at large.

Wesonga argues that besides making a reader enjoy a great latitude of information and knowledge, reading also improves memory, discipline, vocabulary, creativity, and writing skills.

Although he is of the view that most Kenyans approach reading for personal growth with the same timidity that the Neanderthal man would a mobile phone, he says both parents and teachers have a key role to play in encouraging learners to uptake reading as a regular activity.