By Master Bakari, Lodwar

Figure 1: IRCK led by the Executive Director Mr. Linus Nthigai unveils construction project at Canaan Primary School, Turkana County

The Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK), a multi-faith coalition has delivered completed new education facilities in Lodwar in Kanamkemer Primary School and launches another similar initiative at Canaan Primary School, spotlighting both the power of religious unity and the deepening infrastructure crisis facing schools in arid regions.

The Inter-Religious Council of Kenya officially handed over seven newly constructed classrooms, a modern administration office block, 8 toilets and a fully installed water system at Kanamkemer Primary School. The project was funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as part of its humanitarian outreach in Kenya.

The new facilities were formally presented to the school’s Board of Management in a ceremony attended by religious leaders, education stakeholders, parents and local administrators. National Chairman of the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya and Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims, Sheikh Abdullahi Salat, said the intervention was driven by urgent need and years of documented gaps in school infrastructure.

“We are here today in Lodwar to hand over seven classrooms, an admin office, 8 toilets, 320 desks and a water system installed within the school compound. Children here have been in desperate need of proper learning spaces. That is why we travelled all the way from Nairobi to personally witness and hand over this project,” said Sheikh Salat.

Figure 2 National Chairman IRCK Sheikh Abdullahi Salat presiding over the handing over ceremony at Kanamkemer Primary School

He said the huge investment reflects what faith-based institutions can achieve when they work together across religious lines.

“The Inter-Religious Council of Kenya brings together Christians, Muslims, Hindus and other faith communities. Despite our doctrinal differences, we are united by our shared responsibility to serve humanity. Education is not a religious issue; it is a human issue. Every child, regardless of faith, deserves dignity and opportunity,” he said.

Salat urged county authorities to institutionalize structured engagement with religious leaders in development planning and crisis response.

“We request the County Government and the County Commissioner: sit down with these religious leaders. Consult them. Work with them. These are organized institutions with followers who listen to them. When you engage faith leaders, you engage the community. This is how we build unity and peace,” he said.

He further noted that drought and poverty cut across faith and political affiliation.

“The drought here is affecting everybody — Christians, Muslims, all communities. Hunger does not discriminate. That is why we must act together. If we want a peaceful and stable county, we must invest in education and in unity,” Sheikh Salat added.

The ED

Turkana County Inter-Religious Council Chairman and Chairman of SUPKEM Turkana County, Sheikh Yusuf Ali Aremon, said the project was informed by a need assessment conducted in 2021 across Loima, Turkana West and Turkana Central sub-counties.

“Before we started this project, we carried out detailed assessment and intelligence reporting in three sub-counties. We wanted data, not assumptions. What we found were serious gaps , lack of classrooms, shortage of teachers, inadequate sanitation facilities and in some schools, no food for learners,” Sheikh Aremon said.

He explained that after a year of consultations and planning, the Council engaged development partners including UNICEF, Mombasa Cement Linited and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“We sat down and agreed that we must begin with classrooms because learning under trees, exposed to wind and dust, cannot continue in the 21st century. After further assessment, we identified Kanamkemer as the most deserving due to its high population and congestion levels,” he said.

New Hope at Canaan Primary School

Sheikh Aremon announced that the Council is now laying the foundation for eight additional classrooms at Canaan Primary School, signaling continued commitment.

“This is not a one-time project. It is a process. Our vision is to see children in this region learning in safe, dignified environments,” he added.

Kanamkemer Primary School Headteacher, Mr. Moses Ekidor said the new facilities will ease pressure but warned that major challenges persist.

“We currently have a population of 2,700 pupils. For many years, some classes were conducted under trees. Others were severely overcrowded. The new classrooms will greatly improve learning conditions, and we sincerely appreciate the donors and the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya,” he said.

Figure 3 Religious leaders from Turkana County in attendance at the two events calling for education to be prioritized in the county

However, he highlighted a critical boarding crisis.

“Our biggest remaining challenge is dormitories. Because many children come from far distances and insecure areas, they stay within the school compound. At night, classrooms are converted into dormitories. In the morning, they revert to learning spaces. This arrangement is not ideal for academic performance or child welfare,” Mr. Ekidor said.

Calls to address teacher shortages and food insecurity.

“We need more teachers to match our enrolment. We also depend heavily on feeding programmes because prolonged drought has affected families. Some children report to school hungry. Without consistent meals and adequate facilities, concentration and performance suffer,” he added.

Parents described the project as transformative but stressed that deeper structural issues remain. Mary Ekal, a mother of three pupils, said the new classrooms have restored hope.

“Our children were studying under trees with dust and strong winds. When it rained, lessons stopped. Today, we feel proud that our children can sit in proper classrooms like other schools in the country,” she said.

She appealed for dormitories and sustained feeding programmes.

“Many of us are struggling because of drought. Sometimes children leave home without food. If the school can have proper dormitories and feeding support, our children will focus on education,” Ekal said.

Another parent, Peter Lokiru, said insecurity and distance remain barriers.

“Some children walk long distances. Others cannot go back home daily. Turning classrooms into dormitories shows how serious the situation is. We are grateful for the seven classes, but we ask well-wishers and the government not to stop here,” Lokiru said.

The Sh40 million investment demonstrates how faith-based diplomacy and international partnerships can help fill critical education gaps in marginalized regions. However, stakeholders insist sustainable change will require coordinated action between religious institutions, donors and government authorities.

Figure 4 Representatives of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints participating in the handing over and launch in the two schools. Projects funded by the Church in Turkana County

For Kanamekemer and Canaan Primary Schools  the new classrooms, relieving points, water projects and desks mark a significant step forward towards enhancing accessible and equitable education in Turkana County.