The Pokot community in the North Rift region of Kenya is considered marginalised, according to the recent Baringo Inquiry by Kenya’s human rights commission.
The report revealed what it called the “collapse of the education system in parts of North Rift particularly Tiaty sub-county, Pokot North and Pokot Central”. The plight of school children in Tiaty has been reported in Kenya’s news media.
It is against this backdrop that a Facebook user posted a photo on a group page with 1.98 million members. It shows semi-clothed children sitting at desks in a classroom.
“When your kid has uniform, books, food and transport, in Tiaty, East Pokot, other proud Kenyans are also studying. Don't mind attire but the brain,” he captioned the image.
The post was shared almost 30 times, generated 30 comments and had some 150 reactions.
A reverse image search reveals the photo was first published online in 2014. It was taken by French photographer Eric Lafforgue.
Africa Check contacted Lafforgue who confirmed that he had shot the photo, which is of kids from an Ethiopian community.
“You are right. This is Turmi in Ethiopia and those are Hamer tribe kids,” he said. Turmi, a town in south-western Ethiopia, is home to the Hamer people.
The photo is one of a series he took while in the country. It bears no relation to a community in Kenya.
According to Lafforgue’s website, he works with publications such as National Geographic, Der Spiegel, Le Monde, Lonely Planet, Times and Grands Reportages. – Dancan Bwire (14/03/2019)
The report revealed what it called the “collapse of the education system in parts of North Rift particularly Tiaty sub-county, Pokot North and Pokot Central”. The plight of school children in Tiaty has been reported in Kenya’s news media.
It is against this backdrop that a Facebook user posted a photo on a group page with 1.98 million members. It shows semi-clothed children sitting at desks in a classroom.
“When your kid has uniform, books, food and transport, in Tiaty, East Pokot, other proud Kenyans are also studying. Don't mind attire but the brain,” he captioned the image.
The post was shared almost 30 times, generated 30 comments and had some 150 reactions.
Photo traced to Ethiopia
A reverse image search reveals the photo was first published online in 2014. It was taken by French photographer Eric Lafforgue.
Africa Check contacted Lafforgue who confirmed that he had shot the photo, which is of kids from an Ethiopian community.
“You are right. This is Turmi in Ethiopia and those are Hamer tribe kids,” he said. Turmi, a town in south-western Ethiopia, is home to the Hamer people.
The photo is one of a series he took while in the country. It bears no relation to a community in Kenya.
According to Lafforgue’s website, he works with publications such as National Geographic, Der Spiegel, Le Monde, Lonely Planet, Times and Grands Reportages. – Dancan Bwire (14/03/2019)
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