Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Wednesday, March 1, explained that some schools in Baringo were yet to reopen because of increased insecurity noting that the affected institutions had been taken over by bandits.
Speaking before the Senate Committee on National Cohesion at Baringo County Hall Mini Chambers, the CS added that in other schools, infrastructure had been completely burnt down by bandits.
Prof Kindiki was responding to questions asked by the committee regarding the progress his ministry had made in the fight against banditry in the troubled North Rift region.
“Even if we wanted to open some of the schools, the children would not have anywhere to go to because some of the schools have been completely burnt down by bandits.
“The schools that have remained closed don't have any infrastructure. One of the schools was even taken over by the bandits,” Kindiki explained.
Additionally, Kindiki stated that the bandits were using one of the schools as their hideout, noting that the classrooms had been turned into bedrooms of the family of one of the bandits.
“The classrooms in the school became their home. Class 8 became the home of the head of the family, and class 7 the bedroom of the first wife.
“They also turned class six into the bedroom of the second wife, class 5 was turned into the bedroom of the first born,” Kindiki narrated
However, despite learning activities being paralysed in some of the schools, the CS noted that more than 10 schools in the area reopened.
“Over 21 schools, 16 in Baringo south, and 5 in Baringo North have been closed for years because of banditry attacks. People living in those areas have been fleeing for safety.
“We have however been able to open a total of 14 schools that I can personally name,” Kindiki added
The CS further revealed that the ministry had engaged the Teacher Service Commission (TSC) to employ tutors from the North Rift region to teach in local schools.
"We're even talking to the Teacher Service Commission about getting more teachers from the local community because most of the teachers posted there are not comfortable and keep asking for transfers," added the CS.
Earlier on Friday, February 24, Kindiki revealed new strategies that officers would use against bandits in the North Rift region, noting that the government had established a command centre and deployed both air and land military equipment at locations he did not disclose.
"Our troops are on the ground, complete with highly ranked NPS and the KDF commanders who have met and synergised on a seamless operational approach," Kindiki explained.
Kindiki declared war on bandits terrorising residents stating that the government had contacted Uganda, asking President Yoweri Museveni, to organise a counter-operation to flush out bandits crossing into the neighbouring country.
