High school students have been urged to rev up their ambitions for success through hard work in their studies.
Lack of focus and indiscipline were especially cited as the primary causes of failure in examinations.
"Learning should be purpose-driven and when energised by the zeal, success becomes inevitable," Nyamira Senator Okongo Omogeni said during a career talk at Nyamagwa Mixed Secondary.
Omogeni said getting into top-tier courses requires deliberate effort from the students.
"There is no shortcut, there must be that purpose in you that drives that zeal to be a lawyer or doctor," he said.
The event was organised by Kisii county Woman Rep Dorice Donya.
It was attended by among others MPs Steve Mogaka (West Mugirango), and Cliff Gisairo (Kitutu Masaba), and Ibeno Ward Rep Steve Arika.
Senator Omogeni defended schools from the Gusii region against accusations of examination malpractices.
He said schools from the region have shown consistent improvement over the years and thus their exemplary performance during the last national examinations.
"I have had good and informed interactions with both our school heads and students. It fascinates me the amazing quality of the students we have. There is absolutely nothing like cheating in exams, they have that potential like their peers from other counties, " he said.
Donya vowed a relentless fight against defilement and teenage pregnancies which he said were affecting the girl child.
She also encouraged girls to increase their interest in sciences.
"There is nothing like subjects for boys and others for girls, you must put in the effort," she said.
She implored students not to participate in national demos saying their core mandate lies in studying to improve their future.
She said already some students had been shot in the recent Azimio-led protests causing heartaches to affected families.
"I empathise with those parents grieving with such loses which could have been avoided had they concentrated on studies," she said.
Toto said the mentorship was to sensitise students on career choices and help them set their priorities right.
“We have high cases of defilement, teenage pregnancies, defilement, HIV/AIDS and drug abuse. We want to mentor the children to help them make the right choices,” Donya said.
Okongo Omogeni told the students that rising to the pinnacle requires discipline and hard work.
Kitutu Masaba MP Cliff Gisairo said Tivet institutions also provide vast opportunities for students with skill potential.
He said the technical colleges, unlike before, have been equipped to provide the learners with the requisite skills and knowledge for the job market.
Gisairo said education is not a competition adding that learners are endowed with talents that should be tapped for economic growth.
He said schools in Kisii have the potential like any other in the country and should not be victimised for excelling.
Nominated Senator Essy Okenyuri told the students no circumstance, however, challenging should hold them back from pursuing their dreams.
Separately, the legislators welcomed the decision to end anti-government protests. They said only deliberate political conversations between President William Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga would stop the country from plunging into chaos.
They said there was no harm in two leaders engaging in talks as part of the efforts to lift the country out of the doldrums.
"If the problem is with the law, let there be discussions. Ruto must have seen by now that if he won't talk, the country is already sliding into anarchy," Omogeni said.
The senators further castigated the recent attacks by police on journalists covering the Raila Odinga-led protests.
He also described as primitive the attempts to gag the media by tear-gassing journalists on duty.
He told the Inspector of Police to own up to the killings of three Kenyans during the protests.
"He should be ready to stand before the authorities and explain his actions because they constitute a crime against humanity," Omogeni said.
He said the force with which security agencies are dealing with protesters claws back the gains the country has made over the years.
West Mugirango MP Steve Mogaka on his part said it was not time for blame games among leaders.
"It is time to begin listening to each other. The first responsibility of any leader is to listen. If we get to a situation where we are not listening to each other, then we are courting trouble we are courting death," he said.
Mogaka said there is great value in dialogue even as he urged Azimio leader to acknowledge those elected constitutionally.
"Let me urge the government to tone down the thumb-chesting that there is nothing to be discussed. There is a lot to be discussed so that we end this issue," Mogaka said.
Over 20 schools sent learners to the event.
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