The security situation in North Rift has prompted President William Ruto to step in, paralyzing educational activities and forcing the closure of multiple schools.
Speaking at the Cemtech Limited clinker plant's commissioning ceremony in West Pokot, Ruto commanded the prompt deployment of KDF officers to build new classes in areas destroyed by bandits and fix those falling apart from neglect.
Ruto told parents in the area that the government would ensure the safety of all students and educational facilities in the upcoming term.
"I want to say this while I'm in West Pokot. The army will be in Chesogon in the next two days to ensure the schools are built. They will ensure that when schools open next term, the children of those schools will be there.
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President William Ruto declared, "It cannot be the case that children in Kenya, a democratic nation, do not attend school in the twenty-first century because of a small number of criminals who wish to steal cows and cause property damage."
As a result of the ongoing banditry attacks in the area, which have forced some parents to pull their children out of school and others to flee their homes and establish camps for internally displaced people, more than 20 schools in Baringo and five more in West Pokot have been closed indefinitely.
The most recent attack was directed towards Ng'aratuko Primary School, which was destroyed by bandits only a week prior.
"The bandits attacked our school, Ng'aratuko, in broad daylight until the police rescued us and took us away in a vehicle. We closed the classrooms and left because we were told they would surround us and finish us off," explained the head teacher of Ng'aratuko Primary School.
President William Ruto declared that the government would set up administrative units in the area to combat banditry. This move demonstrates his administration's resolve to take decisive action against the threat.
"The military will be there, and all the security agencies to ensure that the region is properly looked after, and we will do that in all areas in Kenya. You asked me about administrative units. We will meet with the leaders to identify the locations and prioritize," President William Ruto affirmed.
This is Ruto's second deployment of military forces to the volatile North Rift during his presidency.
His first directive, which mandated a combined KDF and police security operation in all areas vulnerable to banditry, was issued in February 2023. Locals in this unrest-prone area hope that the president will keep his word this time.
