Kajiado - July 2026
The church school in Indarkalali, Entasopia, had closed after struggling to retain teachers and meet its running costs. Children in the surrounding area were left with fewer options for learning close to home. In 2020, Mama Grace Ngini, a member of the Ngurumani Church Network, asked teacher Jonathan Yiamet whether he could help reopen it. He agreed to take on the work.
The school had no pupils, furniture or chalkboards. Jonathan sought permission from his headteacher at Entasopia Primary School to bring back children from Indarkalali who could benefit from attending a school nearer home. Twelve pre-primary learners became the first class. They and their teacher cleaned the classrooms and compound and started lessons with few materials. The church network then identified 21 children who had dropped out of school and helped them return to education. Enrolment rose to 33.
As more children joined, Jonathan sought support from well-wishers, community leaders and local government to build additional classrooms. The Ministry of Education registered the school, now named Ilaramatak Primary School. The Teachers Service Commission posted a headteacher and later two more teachers; Jonathan became deputy headteacher. Together with teachers recruited by the school’s Board of Management, the staff grew to seven. By July 2026, enrolment had reached 161 pupils, and the first cohort was in Grade 5. The school’s return depended on local families, a teacher, churches and public institutions each taking responsibility for part of the work.