Chiefs during a security meeting in Kerio Valley /MATTHEW NDANYI
Teachers in Kerio Valley have welcomed the ongoing security
operation in the region, saying it has restored confidence among learners and
revived school attendance.
Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Elgeyo Marakwet secretary John Cheberi said more than 35 schools that had either shut down or been heavily affected by banditry are expected to resume full operations.
“We have already seen many children returning to schools. Many of them had run away with their parents due to insecurity,” Cheberi said. He added that teachers were now reporting to work without fear, a marked change from previous years.
Cheberi urged the government to maintain the current security gains to ensure children in Kerio Valley enjoy education like their peers elsewhere.
He noted that the return of peace would also allow other public facilities to function normally again. Chiefs, he said, have been holding meetings with communities to reinforce peace.
Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich has announced the reopening of all markets in the region, which had been closed for more than two years due to insecurity. He said the region had achieved over 80 per cent safety thanks to the joint security operation and voluntary disarmament.
“Thanks to the government’s efforts, our people are now sleeping safely in their homes because there are no bandits to cause mayhem. Kerio Valley, once known as the valley of death, is now turning into the valley of opportunities,” Rotich said during a visit on Monday. He added that the county would woo investors, particularly in agro-processing industries such as fruit factories.
The reopening of markets comes as the government prepares a major youth empowerment programme in the valley, to be rolled out once the ongoing disarmament is complete.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the initiative will rehabilitate and create opportunities for young people willing to abandon cattle rustling. He said President William Ruto will launch the programme once the exercise concludes.
“We will completely transform Kerio Valley and ensure no one is left behind in restoring lasting peace,” Murkomen said.
He said more than 100 guns had already been surrendered by bandits, signaling significant progress. He warned those still holding illegal firearms to surrender them voluntarily before security agencies act.
Murkomen said the government had allocated over Sh1 billion to open up inaccessible areas, particularly Tiaty, and pledged that President Ruto’s administration would eradicate banditry permanently.
