National school games to help preach peace in Bungoma
Bungoma County will play host to the national primary school ball games set to be held between 19th to 21st of June 2013. The fast growing western town has been headlining the news for the wrong reasons in the recent past with a wave of violent attacks reported in many parts of the county.
However, after a swift collaborative security operation conducted by the government and community vigilante groups, relative calm has returned to the town of "Mulembe" that has been known for tranquility and peaceful coexistence amongst residence drawn from different backgrounds.
Speaking on Thursday morning in Nairobi, The Ministry of Education Secretary Enos Oyaya lauded the move to take the games to Bungoma saying it will help stabilize the region after the insecurity that subsequently affected education standards.
“Questions will be raised as to why the games are being taken to a region which has been hit with instability and insecurities in the past months. As a ministry we support the move since sports remains the best workable way of bringing rivals to a peaceful platform.” Oyaya noted.
The primary ball games sponsored by Nestle Kenya through their brand Milo in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Kenya Primary Schools Sports Association (KPSSA) will therefore come in handy in efforts to preach peace to the residents.
Oyaya emphasized the need to have a peaceful society that will compliment a peaceful learning environment.
“In 2008 when Kenya was still reeling from the effects of post Election Violence, the games were taken to Mang’u High school in Aberdares region one of the worst hit areas then. We all know how important the games help in the healing process as all Kenyans champion for one course.” He added.
The education secretary further underscored the ministry’s vision in helping identify and nurture talents from the grass root level through the primary school games and therefore thanking MILO who have been sponsoring the course since 2009.
"Through these, pupils have an opportunity to compete against each other, socialize and learn from each other. The activities promote the education goal of national unity.” He concluded.
Eight regions namely, metropolitan, Lake, Nakuru, Mombasa, Aberdares, Nzoia, Garrisa and Northern will be taking part in the three day extravaganza.
Nestle on Thursday announced a 5 million shillings sponsorship package that will go towards supporting the national games.