Mt. Sugutek Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre in Ndaraweta ward, Bomet Central constituency, has been operating since 2012 without toilets, it has emerged.

The construction of the facility was started in the year 2012 under former Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto’s regime and completed in the financial year 2019/2020 under Governor Hillary Barchok’s leadership.

Reuben Bett, the school Board of Management (BoM) chair said the facility was commissioned by Governor Hillary Barchok in February 2022, who promised to construct a toilet in two weeks’ time. The promise is yet to be delivered.

“We were promised by Governor Barchok that the toilet was to be constructed immediately but since then, no progress at all,” Bett said.

Bett said the parents were in a discussion to contribute money for construction of the toilet since the learners have been subjected to 300 metres travel to the main primary toilets to relieve themselves.

“These learners are really suffering, imagine they cross a very busy road looking for latrines, their lives are in danger,” Bett added.

Nancy Ngetich, one of the parents, the situation poses a risk of an outbreak of diseases such as cholera since many of the learners cannot hold for long hence relieving themselves anywhere.

“I have witnessed these children relieving themselves behind the classroom and there is a kitchen nearby, this can easily cause diseases,” Ngetich said.

Erick Langat, the headteacher of the school, said the lack of a toilet has led to a reduction in the number of learners attending school and this has affected learning.

Langat said if the situation continues learners will develop a negative attitude towards the school and soon the school will be deserted.

“We are happy the county government provides milk for these learners but where will they go to relieve themselves after taking the milk” Langat posed.

Efforts to get a comment from the minister for education in Bomet Agnes Ngeno were futile.