Editor's Review

"I stayed home for nine months after Form Three and it was because I had no way out."

East African Community Affairs and Regional Development Cabinet Secretary nominee Beatrice Askul has disclosed that she is a wife and mother to three children.

Appearing before the National Assembly’s Committee on Appointments on Friday, August 9, Askul stated that she was born in Lokichar, Turkana County, in a place called Kapese.

She started her primary education at Lokichar Mixed Primary School before joining St. Joseph Cheptirit Girls High School for her secondary education.

"I'm married and a mother of three. I was born in Lokichar, Turkana County, in a place called Kapese. Thereafter, I went to Lokichar Mixed Primary School. After Class Eight, I was called to St. Joseph Cheptirit Girls High School in Kapsabet, Nandi County, where I studied till Form Three," Askul remarked.

The CS nominee disclosed that when she got to Form Three, the fund that was supporting her secondary education ceased remitting funds and she had to drop out of school.

"I stayed home for nine months and it was because I had no way out. After that, I felt like I couldn't wait anymore. I had to register myself privately at Kitale High School," she continued.

Askul further noted that after secondary education, she briefly joined Oxfam as a food relief monitor.

Beatrice Askul.

She worked at the organization for one year before enrolling in a certificate programme at Kobuje Social Development Training Institute.

The CS nominee was then employed briefly with the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) before joining the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA).

She later graduated and enrolled for a Masters Degree in Governance and Ethics and she is waiting to graduate.

"In my work experience, I worked as a food relief monitor with Oxfam after my training at the Kobuje Social Development Training Institute before joining AMREF Kenya, a programme that was dealing with livestock disease and it was in the northern part of Turkana," Askul remarked.

The CS nominee added that she was later appointed as a director of a board in the Rift Valley.

"I happened to be the chair for audit, which I served for one year, then later became the chair for technical because I wanted to influence policies," she stated.

Askul then later worked with the County Government of Turkana as a CEC of Water before joining politics.

If approved, she will take over from Peninah Malonza.