Don't burn property, embrace dialogue, President Kenyatta urges students

President Uhuru Kenyatta shares a light moment with high school students on August 12, 2016 during a ceremony to fill pledges made to seven institutions earlier in the year. PHOTO | PSCU

What you need to know:

  • Chilchilla Secondary School, Uhuru Kenyatta High School Kabiyet, St. Mary’s Sosio Girls High School, Elburgon Secondary School, State House Primary School, Wajir Girls Secondary School and Kericho Teachers College received buses.
  • President Kenyatta said students should work hard in their studies to acquire the necessary skills that will enable them to be effective leaders.

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday urged students to embrace dialogue to solve problems instead of destroying property.

President Kenyatta was speaking on Friday at a ceremony at State House, Nairobi, to hand over seven buses he had promised to six secondary schools and a college.

Referring to recent arson cases in schools, President Kenyatta emphasised the need for young people to cultivate the habit of following proper channels in addressing issues affecting them.

By handing over the buses, President Kenyatta was fulfilling a pledge he had made to the educational institutions at different occasions when he visited them.

Students of St Mary's Sosio Girls High School in Bungoma board their new bus at State House, Nairobi on August 12, 2016. PHOTO | PSCU

The institutions that benefitted were Chilchilla Secondary School in Kepkelion, Uhuru Kenyatta High School Kabiyet in Eldama Ravine, St. Mary’s Sosio Girls High School in Bungoma, Elburgon Secondary School in Molo, State House Primary School in Nairobi, Wajir Girls Secondary School in Wajir and Kericho Teachers College.

“The best way to resolve problems is sitting down and having [a] dialogue. That is one of the reasons there are student councils which are supposed to provide an avenue through which you can air your views,” said the Head of State.

President Uhuru Kenyatta waves goodbye to Elburgon Secondary School students after he gave them a bus on August 12, 2016, fulfilling a pledge he made to the school and six other institutions. PHOTO | PSCU

PARENTAL PRESSURE

As future leaders, President Kenyatta said, students should work hard in their studies to acquire the necessary skills that will enable them to be effective leaders.

The President reminded students that as responsible residents, they have a duty to guard against any form of destruction of school property.

Wajir Girls Secondary School received a four-wheel drive vehicle because of the rough terrain in the county.

Mr Kenyatta expressed hope that the school buses would boost the students’ mobility as they go about their learning and extra-curricular activities.

The President, at the same time, also urged parents to stop exerting too much pressure on their children by pegging their lives on the grades they get at the expense of good behaviour.

“Our lives are not depended on the grades we get in schools but on God and the good morals we cultivate,” President Kenyatta said.

The President told students to always strive to nurture their God-given talents so that they can be productive members of the society.

“Life doesn’t end by exams, failing exams is not the end of the world but rather it could be a door to another opportunity,” said the President.

The students were accompanied by their teachers and board of governors.

Also present were Governors Benjamin Cheboi (Baringo) and Ken Lusaka (Bungoma), Wajir County Senator Abdirahman Ali, MPs Moses Lesonett (Eldama Ravine), Abass Mohammed (Wajir East), Abdikadir Ore (Wajir West) and Abdullahi Mohamed Diriye (Wajir South).

(Editing by Joel Muinde and Henry Gekonde)