Over a hundred years ago, on the vast plateau of Marsabit, there lived a man called Lago Ogom. Lago was the paramount chief of the Rendille community who grazed their cattle in the lands between the Kaisut Desert and Mount Marsabit. Because of their nomadic lifestyle, the Rendille were an adaptable people who could easily acclimatize to even the most unwelcoming of environments. But the changes that came about with colonialism were a tough pill to swallow – one of them being formal education.
Formal education was an alien concept that was introduced at the same time that British rule began, leaving many Africans suspicious about what the real impact of school-going might be. Doubts about this method of instruction therefore brewed into complete rejection by most communities, including the Rendille. To them, resisting formal education equaled resisting colonial rule, but for Lago Ogom the reverse was true. This chief believed that education was the key to understanding the ways of the white man and doing away with colonialism. Going against the prevailing mentality, Lago sought to inculcate education into his community’s way of life.
Establishing a school was the first hurdle in Lago’s way. Because of the Rendille’s wealth in cattle, animal skin was an ample commodity which could be sold to other communities. Lago asked each clan to contribute several skins for the project, which they did. Small clans contributed between 22 and 44 skins while larger clans gave up to 66. These were promptly sold, and the money made was used to build the classrooms, pay teachers, and provide meals and boarding facilities for the learners.
Once the school was set up, the next challenge was convincing parents to send their children to the institution. This was an uphill climb, but Lago knew the way to win his people over. He gave each household 30 goats in exchange for school enrollment. Most still turned this offer down but through this barter, Lago was able to admit 30 boys to the school. After completing their primary education, these pupils proceeded to an intermediate school located on the outskirts of Marsabit.
Chief Lago Ogom’s visionary spirit was essential for many of the nomadic communities to embrace education. His efforts to overcome mindsets that supported subordinating African education were telling of how deeply he cared for his people. He is someone who went against the current and changed the tide, and is remembered for his amazing leadership and foresight.