Learning has resumed in Kerio Valley after the government ordered schools to reopen after they were shut down due to runaway insecurity.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i on Monday ordered all learning institutions to open after more officers were deployed in the area.
Matiang’i directed Elgeyo Marakwet County Commissioner Abdullahi
Hiddi
to ensure
police provide
24-hour
security to all schools.
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He said schools will be secured by at least one police officer daily.
Authorities in the area reported that all the 50 schools that had closed re-opened on Tuesday but recorded low turnout.
However, some schools in Marakwet and Pokot highlands including Kamelei, Kamelei B, Kipsitona and Kalya Primary schools remained closed on Wednesday after cattle rustling incidents on Monday and Tuesday.
Marakwet East deputy county commissioner Stephen Sangolo said on Wednesday that security officials toured 22 schools on Tuesday and ascertained that learning has resumed.
“We are happy to report that all schools were re-opened and learning is going on smoothly,” Sangolo said.
He said security patrols have been intensified around all schools.
Matiangi addressed a security meeting in Chesegon, Tot and Kolowa in the Kerio Valley on Monday.
More than 15 people have been killed by bandits since January.
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Charles Chesach, a teacher at Chesongoch primary said low attendance was recorded as panic over attacks is still rife.
“We have not received security officers but local assistant county commissioner visited the school in the morning and promised security officers will be deployed,” Chesach said.
Marakwet Knut Secretary John Cheberi told the state to hasten the deployment of security officers to all schools.
“We shall not hesitate to ask teachers and pupils to stay away from school if the government does not send security officers to secure schools,” said the unionist.
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