19 schools close in Baringo North as bandits wreak havoc
Source: Capital FM Kenya
Author: Sharon Resian
NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 24 -- A total of 19 schools in Baringo North have closed in three months due to increased insecurity following a resurgence in bandit attacks.
Speaking on Saturday, Japheth Masibu, the County Director of Education in Baringo, said most of the schools became deserted over time due to the increased insecurity in the region.
He added that most families had left the area, leaving hardly any children enrolled in schools.
The closed schools include Sibilo Secondary and Primary School, Koroto Secondary and Primary Schools, Biretwonin Primary School, Akorayan Primary School, Moinonin Primary School, Chepkwel Primary School, Kosile Primary School, and Ng'aratuko Primary School.
"We have not closed schools, but students are deserting schools because of insecurities. Nobody has closed schools in Baringo but the few open the students kept off because even families around there are moving away," he said.
Others include Kagir Primary School, Yatya Secondary School, Rondinin Primary School, Karimo Primary School, Sesianin Primary School, Kasepeiwa Primary School, Naipen Primary School, and Kibenos Primary School.
Abdi Hassan, the Regional Commissioner for Rift Valley, said that recent weeks had seen more than 2,000 families displaced from their homes, now seeking shelter in IDP camps set up in secure areas due to insecurity in the region.
He said the situation is dire since many locals flee to safer locations fearing for their lives.
"This condition is not good since there has been a lot of tension and residents are fearing for their lives. Three locations have been affected that need intervention," he said.
Despite the heavy presence of security agents in the region, Baringo County has witnessed a surge of attacks in recent weeks that have led to the loss of lives and injuries.
Residents have called on the government to take decisive action to prevent further loss of life in the region.
The reported closure of schools comes weeks after the Ministry of Interior convened talks to address security concerns in Baringo.
On February 29, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki met with the leadership of Baringo County as part of the wider efforts to restore security in the restive North region that suffered the brunt of banditry and cattle rustling.
The meeting aimed to assess the ongoing security operations in Baringo and identify gaps.
CS Kindiki reiterated that the government will not politicize or ethnicize security operations.
He emphasized that any individual, regardless of political affiliation, found to be instigating insecurity will face arrest and prosecution.
"Any political leader found culpable of financing, planning or inciting banditry, livestock rustling, or retaliatory attacks will be apprehended and arraigned, their political persuasions or influence notwithstanding," he warned.
Kindiki announced plans to deploy additional specialized officers to pursue bandits, livestock rustlers, and other armed criminals in Baringo County and neighboring North Rift Valley Region counties affected by insecurity.