On Wednesday, Interior Ministry Secretary Kithure Kindiki disclosed that one bandit in the North Rift region had turned a school into his home.

PHOTO | COURTESY Interior CS Kindiki Kithure testified on the bandit who took school and used it as his family premise

Kindiki stated that fourteen schools had already resumed when testifying before the Senate Security and Cohesion Committee to provide further information about the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) operations in the North and the advancement made.

He promised that even those who had taken over schools and stopped learning activities would face the law.

"Bandits occupied one of the schools, and the classrooms served as their residence. Class Eight became the family head's bedroom, Class Seven the first wife's bedroom, Class Six the second wife's bedroom, and Class Five the firstborn's bedroom", according to CS Kindiki.

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No level of lawlessness and impunity is higher. As the president has said, even the remaining schools must reopen, and we have complied.

The CS declared that the remaining schools would reopen once security was back. 

"We'll do everything it takes to end terrorism and have every school back in session. We have so far reopened a total of 14 schools, and this is not just a media narrative; I am familiar with the names of the schools because I have visited them in person, Kindiki stated.

The interior ministry is collaborating closely with the ministry of education to build new schools after several the burning down of several others.

PHOTO | COURTESY Interior CS Kindiki Kithure

The North Rift region has recently been devastated by bandits and cattle rustlers, who have killed people, stolen livestock, and forced people from their homes. The counties of Baringo, Samburu, Turkana, and Elgeyo Marakwet have been the worst hit.

The CS previously referred to cattle rustlers as terrorists during the discussion.

"Terrorism has replaced livestock rustling. Politicians are playing this game, he said.

He declared that security personnel would permanently be stationed in war-torn Northern Kenya to maintain regional economic success.

President William Ruto's administration, according to the CS, would end banditry in the vulnerable areas.

Even though the amnesty period is over, the interior secretary told senators that the disarmament has yet to start.