Laikipia county commissioner Daniel Nyameti has denied reports that eight schools have been closed in Laikipia West subcounty.
On Monday evening, Nyameti told journalists in his Nanyuki town office that it was only Wangwachi Primary School that had been affected and that it was not closed because of insecurity.
“The school is about 100 meters from an Anti-Stock Theft Unit camp. It was parents who were fearing [sic],” Nyameti said.
Earlier in the day, Githiga MCA Peter Thomi was summoned by police officers to record a statement over a demonstration that had been held in the area. Olomoran MCA George Karuiru was also expected to record a statement.
Nyameti said an operation was ongoing to flush out migrant herders who have invaded Laikipia Nature Conservancy.
“Our security officers have managed to evict herders who had camped at Loisaba and Jennings farms,” Nyameti said.
Yesterday, Rift Valley regional commissioner George Natembeya was expected to lead other senior security officials to Olmoran ward.
Four more schools were allegedly closed on Monday following rising cases of insecurity.
Parents from Ndindika primary and secondary schools, Mbogoini and Arabel primary schools withdrew their pupils and students from the institutions.
They then marched to the assistant county commissioner's offices in Kinamba trading centre where they engaged police in running battles.
Other schools that have since been closed are Wangwaci Primary School, Kabati secondary and primary schools and Mirango Primary School.
Police lobed tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd.
The parents were protesting against the killing of three people in the last week by suspected bandits believed to be from the nearby Baringo county.
Among them was a General Service Unit officer who was killed by bandits on Saturday.
The rising cases of insecurity have seen hundreds of families from Matwiku, Wangwaci and Ol Moran areas flee.
Last Wednesday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i visited the crime-prone areas and gave the herders a seven-day ultimatum to leave the area.
