Gov’t Assures Teachers, Students of Security As Bandit-Hit Schools Re-Open Next Month
Prof. Kithure Kindiki, Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Government Administration, has advised parents to take their children back to school next month, assuring them of appropriate security.
According to CS Kindiki, Cheptulel Boys Secondary School and Sapulmoi Primary School in Sigor Constituency, West Pokot County, are currently undergoing reconstruction following a series of bandit attacks in Samburu and West Pokot counties.
The facilities, according to CS Kindiki, will be accessible when schools resume on January 8.
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CS Kindiki stated that President William Ruto’s instructions are unequivocal. He emphasized that all schools closed due to insecurity caused by bandits and other armed criminals must reopen in January when the learning schedule resumes.
The CS reaffirmed the commitment to rehabilitate schools vandalized by bandits, aiming to make them operational by January 8th, 2024, coinciding with the start of the first term of the 2024 academic year.
According to the Interior Ministry chairman, the government will offer 24-hour security, including specialized police and National Police Reservists (NPRs), to assure the students’ safety.
He added that the government will supply enough food to feed all of the children in the impacted schools, particularly since their parents are unable to till their land owing to insecurity.
He further pledged to parents that the schools would have sufficient teachers, ensuring the safety of their children.
“TSC has assured us that all these schools will have sufficient teachers to teach our children. The safety and security of our teachers will be guaranteed.”
“They have no reason to fear. We must not allow a few criminal elements to derail the education of our children and sabotage the next generation…” he added.
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He also asked parents to prevent their children from turning into bandits, noting that the cattle rustling business is unsustainable.
Kindiki urged parents not to endanger their children by promoting involvement in banditry. He emphasized that engaging in livestock theft is an unsustainable endeavor. Additionally, he stated that any individual attacking security officers is infringing upon the nation’s sovereignty, and such actions will not be tolerated.
His visit came just a day after he went on a tour of Karanga Joto, which is located on the boundary of Baringo North and Tiaty Sub-Counties in Baringo County, and shared lunch with frontline cops.
During his visit, he indicated that the government has achieved tremendous success against bandits, reaching up to 70%, and that he is striving to eliminate remaining elements by 2024.
According to the CS, next year will be a watershed moment in the fight against banditry, with security agencies in charge focusing on eradicating banditry with the goal to opening up the Northern Rift Valley Region for development and economic growth, social infrastructure, and amenities like schools, medical facilities, and markets.
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CS Kithure said that the government will invest at least Ksh.7 billion each year to modernize security officials’ equipment in order to boost Kenya’s security capacity.
Kindiki shared that there would be an annual expenditure of at least Ksh.7 billion to modernize the equipment for security officers. He went on to inform that the initial consignment of modern equipment, including MRAPs, aerial surveillance kits with drones, and personal protective gear, is in transit and expected to arrive in the country within the next 7 to 10 days.
Gov’t Assures Teachers, Students of Security As Bandit-Hit Schools Re-Open Next Month
