{
  "id": 12711379,
  "title": "Primary school in Emurua Dikirr closed over poor sanitation as parents cry out",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/primary-school-in-emurua-dikirr-closed-over-poor-sanitation-as",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-07T21:01:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "People Daily Kenya",
    "slug": "people-daily-kenya",
    "url": "https://peopledaily.digital/news/primary-school-in-emurua-dikirr-closed-over-poor-sanitation-as-parents-cry-out"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Reberwet Primary School in Emurua Dikirr Constituency, Narok County, has been forced to close due to poor sanitation. Over 400 students and staff are forced to stay home until the school's facilities are improved. Public health officials closed the school after discovering inadequate and unsafe toilets. Some facilities lack doors and parts of the structure are deteriorating, creating health and safety risks. Parents have taken matters into their own hands, spending several days digging and constructing a pit latrine with materials they provide. One mother expressed frustration that her children are at home while others continue exams. \"Our children are at home now, while other children are continuing with exams. What more can we do? What do we ask the government for? Are we the ones who will become leaders tomorrow, visible?\" Another parent called for permanent toilets, warning that upcoming heavy rains could worsen the situation. \"We are worried about the ongoing El Niño rains. Soon, it will come and come, and our school will be ruined. This school needs a permanent toilet,\" he said. Kenya's school infrastructure standards require adequate and safe sanitation facilities, including separate facilities for learners and staff. Parents claim they have received little help despite providing labor and materials. \"Every Monday and Tuesday, we have been here working on behalf of our children, building a toilet, but there is no assistance at all,\" another mother complained. She questioned why parents are forced to construct essential facilities while government structures remain in place. Government records show the school previously appeared in Emurua Dikirr NG-CDF development allocations, including funding for classrooms and land. The Ministry of Education's sanitation guidance requires hygienic toilets and handwashing facilities. The Basic Education Act places responsibility on education authorities to support basic education delivery. Emurua Dikirr is represented by David Kipsang Keter of UDA, who won the constituency's by-election on May 14, 2026. Keter succeeded the late MP Johana Ng'eno, who died in a helicopter crash on February 28, 2026, triggering the by-election. Parents now demand intervention from elected leaders and government agencies so that the over 400 affected pupils can return to class.",
  "summary": "Reberwet Primary School in Emurua Dikirr Constituency, Narok County, has been closed over poor sanitation, leaving more than 400 pupils at home as parents plead with the government to urgently improve the school’s facilities. Public health officials ordered the school closed after concerns over inadequate and unsafe toilets for pupils and teachers. Some facilities lack […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}