Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Thursday, May 18, directed the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers to oversee the reconstruction of schools damaged by bandits in Baringo County.
To facilitate their operation, the government released Ksh100 million for the rehabilitation of schools that were damaged by bandits in the county.
Kindiki was speaking during the graduation ceremony of 200 newly trained National Police Reservists (NPR) at Kimalel grounds, Baringo County.
The Interior CS added that another Ksh100 million will be allocated to the officers in the second phase to complete the reconstruction of the schools.
“An initial allocation of Ksh100 million has been released for the rehabilitation of all schools that were damaged by bandits.
"KDF officers will manage the reconstruction. Another Ksh100 million will be allocated in the second phase to complete the reconstruction,” read part of the statement by the CS.
Kindiki added that the multi-agency team had done a great job in battling bandits in the region, and advised local administrators and security officers to be fast in responding to insecurity incidents.
“We have made good progress in getting rid of some hideouts and getting rid of bandits from where they were hiding but we must ensure they don’t return there again,” he stated
At the same time, Kindiki urged the multi-agency team including KDF to ensure the area remains out of bounds to bandits.
He further revealed that the government through the Ministry of Education was planning to employ more teachers in the county.
“The Government will also recruit and post an additional 100 teachers; 50 for Baringo South and 50 for Baringo North to ensure learning in the reopened schools goes on uninterrupted,” he stated.
He confirmed the government’s commitment to supporting NPR officers adding that from July 1, 2023, all NPR officers will have a comprehensive NHIF cover.
“The design for the NPR uniform is almost complete, the government will kit all NPR officers including footwear to enable the officers execute their duties,” he explained.
The 200 newly trained National Police Reservists will be deployed to supplement the NPS- KDF Joint operation team in Baringo North and Baringo South constituencies.
On February 14, 2023, Kindiki clarified reports about a move by the government to deploy Kenya KDF troops to help in restoring order in banditry-affected areas.
In a statement, Kindiki explained that KDF officers will only complement the efforts of police officers who have the leading role in the operation.
Further, the CS noted that the areas earmarked for KDF deployment had been gazetted as disturbed and dangerous areas hence necessitating the deployment without parliament's approval as stipulated in the law.
