Former Garissa Woman Representative Anab Gure has urged women and girls in Northeastern to enrol for technical courses.
She said the number of women and girls pursuing technical course in the region is low, compared to their male counterparts.
In Garissa county there is one technical college and five Technical Vocational Education and Training institutes. They offer courses such as plumbing, tailoring, motor vehicle mechanics, ICT, saloon and beauty therapy, welding, masonry and carpentry.
The courses duration range from three months to three years.
“It is quite unfortunate and regrettable to see our daughters shying away from these courses. This is despite both the national and county governments working closely to equip these institutions with the necessary materials,” Gure said.
“Going forward, let us all change this mindset that women cannot take some of these courses. Leaders and parents have a role to play in changing this narrative and mindset.”
She said the numbers of students who have joined teaching colleges since the government removed the cluster combination is encouraging.
“Truth be said, the long-term solution to the problems bedevilling the education sector lies with us locals. We are the only ones who will bring this teachers crisis to an end. Let us stop being choosy and go for teaching courses, which remains an extremely noble profession,” Gure said.
She said some of the programmes initiated by the Kenya Kwanza government have started bearing fruit.
Gure said she understands Kenyans frustrations and urge for quick fixes, but things do not work like that.
She said Northeastern, which has remained behind in development, will witness significant transformation in livestock, water and infrastructure sectors.
The former legislator urged leaders and residents to give Governor Nathif Jama time to deliver on the promises he made during campaigns.
Jama has come under sharp criticism from a section of leaders and residents, who have accused his administration of "getting priorities wrong".
But Gure said while she has no problem with positive criticism, doing so without facts is wrong.
“Speaking as a leader and putting aside party politics and ethnicity, I would appeal to the people to remember that he [Jama] is our governor and when he succeeds, we succeed as a county. When he fails, then the county will definitely not progress,” she said.
