Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has provided an update on the progress of the ongoing all-out government war against armed bandits in the troubled North Rift region.
On Wednesday, CS Kindiki appeared before the Senate Committee on National Cohesion at Baringo County Hall Mini Chambers revealing how bandits had paralysed learning activities in the area.
The CS told of one bandit who took over a school and turned it into a personal abode for his family.
“One of the schools was taken over by bandits and the classrooms became the home of the bandits. Class Eight, became the bedroom of the head of the family, Class Seven became the bedroom of the first wife, Class Six became the bedroom of the second wife and Class Five became the bedroom of the firstborn,” Kindiki narrated.
“There is no greater level of impunity and lawlessness. The president has directed and we have taken the directive that even the remaining schools must be reopened.”
CS Kindiki said 14 out of the 21 schools that had been closed due to insecurity have since been reopened.
“We will do whatever it takes to defeat terror and ensure all the schools are reopened. So far we have reopened a total of 14 schools, and this is not just a media story, I know the schools,” Kindiki said.
The Minister noted that bandits had vandalized some of the schools. He said his ministry is consulting the Ministry of Education to reconstruct the learning institutions.
“The reason why Lerecha Primary School is not open is because the infrastructure was burned down by bandits and there is nowhere children can go. The schools that remain shut is because their infrastructure was completely destroyed,” CS Kindiki said.
“We are even discussing with Teacher Service Commission to get additional teachers from the local community because most for the teachers posted there are not comfortable and keep asking for transfers,” he added.
