Alumni, Community, and Government Unite to Revitalize Kipkombot Primary School

By Wasike Elvis

 Kipkombot Primary School, once on the brink of closure due to its deteriorating condition, has seen a remarkable turnaround thanks to the dedicated efforts of its alumni, local community, and the support from various stakeholders. Dr. Henry Rotich, an alumnus and patron of the school, has led the charge in the second phase of a revitalization project aimed at improving the school’s infrastructure, creating a safe and conducive learning environment, and ensuring that the children have access to the resources they need for a better education.

Dr. Rotich, speaking at the event, stressed the importance of supporting Kipkombot Primary, a school that had once faced numerous challenges, including crumbling classrooms, leaking roofs, and poor infrastructure. With the goal of improving these conditions, the alumni association, local community, and church leaders joined forces to make a difference. "We have come together with the community, the church, and other well-wishers to make sure this school remains open. We cannot allow it to close because education has wings that can take children anywhere," Dr. Rotich said.

Dr. Rotich’s remarks were part of an event marking the second phase of the school’s revitalization efforts, which began with the fencing of the school compound. Prior to this initiative, the school was an open field, where animals would graze, putting students at risk. Parents had withdrawn their children from the school due to safety concerns, and the institution was quickly losing its student body. The alumni, in collaboration with local authorities, quickly stepped in to address this issue by building a secure perimeter fence to safeguard the school and its students.

"We started by fencing the school, which was previously an open field. People used to graze their animals here, and it was unsafe for children. Many parents had removed their children from the school because of this. We also installed a gate to ensure that only authorized people can access the premises," Dr. Rotich explained.

In addition to the fence, another significant change has been the introduction of a school feeding program. Recognizing that many students came from far-flung areas and could not return home for lunch, particularly during the rainy season, Dr. Rotich and his team worked closely with the local community and the church to establish the program. This has been a critical initiative to keep students in school during the lunch break and provide them with the nourishment they need to focus on their studies.

Despite the challenges faced with the quantity of food available, Dr. Rotich is optimistic that with continued support from well-wishers, the program will be able to sustain itself. "We are grateful for the support we’ve received, but there is still a need for more food to support our feeding program. We urge other well-wishers to help us ensure that these children have the necessary nutrition to continue learning in a healthy environment," he said.

In his speech, Dr. Rotich also expressed his gratitude towards the County Government of Nandi, which has contributed to the development of the school by building an Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) classroom. However, he called upon both the national and county governments to do more in renovating the school, as the current classrooms are old and in desperate need of repairs. Additionally, he requested assistance in leveling the school’s playing field to allow for extracurricular activities, which are an important part of a child's development.

"We are thankful for the County Government’s support in building an ECDE classroom, but we need further help in renovating the classrooms. The iron sheets on the roofs are old, and the classrooms are in need of a major overhaul. Additionally, leveling the field will give children the opportunity to engage in extracurricular activities, which are just as important as academic learning," Dr. Rotich appealed.

Anne Sitienei, the Headteacher of Kipkombot Primary School, expressed her gratitude to the alumni and the broader community for their unwavering support. She shared how the school had struggled before the interventions, with only 24 students enrolled at one point. However, thanks to the efforts of Dr. Rotich and the alumni, the school now has over 150 students, and the numbers continue to grow.

"We are extremely grateful to the alumni, especially Dr. Rotich, for fencing the school, ensuring we have water, and introducing the feeding program. These interventions have significantly improved the learning environment. We now have over 150 students, and we are heading towards 200," Sitienei said.

Sitienei also addressed the issue of enrollment, encouraging parents to bring their children to the school, now that the environment is safer and more conducive to learning. "Before these initiatives, we had only 24 students, and the school was on the verge of closure. Now, we have over 150 students, and we are confident that the number will continue to rise. I encourage parents to bring their children to Kipkombot Primary. The school is now in much better condition, and the feeding program ensures that the children are well taken care of," she said.

Pauline Ngelechei, another member of the school community, thanked the alumni and Dr. Rotich for their contributions. "We’ve had many challenges in the past, but with God’s help and the help of the alumni, we now have a safe environment for our children. The feeding program is a huge benefit, and I urge more well-wishers to donate food so we can continue feeding the children," Ngelechei said. She also encouraged parents to bring more children to the school, emphasizing that it now feels like a "boarding school" with the added benefits of the feeding program.

Anthony Arap Mindio, an alumni member and parent at the school, also expressed his appreciation for the changes at Kipkombot Primary. He urged parents who had previously taken their children out of the school to return, as the conditions had vastly improved. "We are happy that the school is now on its feet, and I encourage parents who withdrew their children to bring them back. The school is no longer in a bad state, and we owe this to Dr. Rotich and the alumni who thought about revitalizing the school," Mindio said.

The event concluded with Nandi Governor Stephen Sang, who was the Chief Guest, praising the efforts of Dr. Rotich and the alumni. Governor Sang also officially opened the new AIC Kipkombot ECDE center in Kabiyet Ward, Mosop Constituency, and pledged his support for the ongoing development of the school. He emphasized the importance of creating a conducive learning environment for young children, as part of his development agenda for the county.

"The construction of ECDE centers across Nandi County is part of my development agenda to provide a conducive learning environment for young learners," Governor Sang said. "We are dedicated to ensuring that all children have access to the essential learning materials they need to thrive in their educational journey."

As Kipkombot Primary School continues to grow and improve, it serves as a shining example of what can be achieved when alumni, local communities, and government entities come together to support education. The revitalization of the school provides a brighter future for the children of Kipkombot and Nandi County, and with continued support, it is poised for even greater success.

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March 20, 2025