President William Ruto has deployed 3,000 police officers to secure Baringo County and supervise the reconstruction of 44 schools.
Speaking in Kabartonjo, Baringo County, on Thursday, Ruto also pledged to dispatch 2,000 more police officers to enhance security in the region.
According to the Head of State, cases of cattle rustling had plagued the region for a long time, and they were among the raft of issues he was keen on eradicating.
"We have agreed that all schools closed between West Pokot all the way to Turkana will be rebuilt. I have directed that they be rebuilt as boarding schools so that all children can go to school. There are at least 44 schools," stated the President during the issuance of title deeds in the region.
"I have deployed 3,000 police officers here and I will add 2,000 more to ensure that thieves do not infiltrate."
As part of his reforms, Ruto promised that the government will foot all bills incurred during the reconstruction of the institutions.
The funding will cover various aspects, including providing meals, to ensure students receive the necessary support to stay in school.
"Also, I will launch a programme to make sure that there is food in those schools where the children will stay. This will a government programme. All children who have struggled will go to school and no one will chase them away," he added.
In recent months, the North Rift areas, prone to insecurity, have experienced relative calm since Ruto took over the reins. The areas include Baringo, West Pokot and Turkana counties.
At the beginning of August, Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale noted that the Head of State intentionally thwarted the gangs that terrorised the region for decades.
After taking office, Ruto received intelligence and deployed the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to the North Rift.
The operation was carried out in two phases, with the first phase taking place between February 13 and March 13 and involved engaging bandits while mapping the terrain for an advanced operation. Beginning in March, the operation was taken a notch higher with the introduction of advanced artillery to crush the bandits.
Reviving the Controversial Arror Dam
The Head of State also confirmed that plans were in high gear to revive the construction of Arror Dam alongside 25 others that had stalled or were shut down.
"Water is very important. On Tuesday, we will approve 25 more dams during the Cabinet meeting. We need to make sure there is enough water," promised the Head of State.
"We have also solved issues that arose during the construction of Arror Dam. It will serve Kerio Valley and we shall come to start the project before December."
The dam, whose construction plans date back to 1986, stalled after former President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered its closure due to allegations of embezzlement and misappropriation of funds.
