By Joseph Ndegwa

Girls in school have been challenged to work harder in education, remain disciplined and focused in academics in order to make better their future.

Prof Mabel Imbuga, the vice chancellor Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) said this at Moi Nyabohanse Girls High School during the UN International Day of the Girl celebrations, where she was the chief guest.

“Work hard to ensure you have enough brains to take you to the University,” she said urging girls to embrace science in order to impact the society positively through innovation. This was in line with this year’s theme: Innovating for Girl’s Education.

Prof Imbuga said that “education has no finish line, it is continuous learning and I want you to strive to have degrees in your pockets.” “Read a lot of books even outside your area of specialization to improve your language and ability to communicate.”

“Science is in everything that we do and so girls should not shy away from science subjects,” Prof Imbuga said.

She encouraged girls to stand up and make decisions on their career choices urging them to make sure they chose subjects that suit them saying “passion drives progress.”

Speaking at the event, Kenya Literature Bureau managing director, Eve Obara challenged parents, teachers and the community to play a greater role in the upbringing of their children.

“I urge to support our children, especially the girl child through school,” she said, asking local leaders to support the government campaign against Female Genital Mutilation and early marriage.

Mrs Obara, who is also a trustee of the Women’s Initiative in Education (NEWI), the event organizer, said professional women volunteers are willing to mentor support and work with girls in school to better their lives.

During the event, the school received a donation of books, sanitary towels, stationery, food stuff and JKUAT’s Taifa Laptop. This makes Moi Nyabohanse Girls the first school to receive the locally assembled laptop in Kenya, a right step in the governments plan to supply laptops to schools.

In his speech, Dr Mark Matunga, the Intel Inc Corporate Affairs manager asked girls to dream big and see beyond their current situation. “Work hard to bring your distant dreams closure,” he said.

The International Day of the Girl Child, in its fourth cycle, is special day in the UN calendar, where individuals, groups, lobbies and governments come together to celebrate the girl child and is commemorated annually on 11th October.

Present at the event were the Corporate Affairs manager of Intel Corporation, Dr. Mark Matunga, Mrs. Obara, the assistant director of Livelihood Programmes, Dr. Bahati Mwita, Moi Nyabohanse chairman of Board of Management, John Williams Ouma, School Principal, Anne Mosenda, Kuria West Sub-County Education Quality Assurance Officer, Johnson Dinda, NEWI pogrammes manager, Dan Martin, among other guests.
Moi Nyabohanse Girls High School was established by the late charismatic preacher, Bishop Henry Okullu and is the only national school in Kuria. The event at the school was sponsored by NEWI and LitWorld Inc,