Learning remains paralysed for more than 5,000 pupils in Baringo county as their schools were shut down due to persistent bandit attacks.
Some 180 pupils of Mukutani Primary School in Baringo South are still at Eldume camp for the internally displaced. They are temporarily studying at Ol Samburmbur Primary School in Marigat.
The pupils were among more than 800 Ilchamus residents who were displaced by armed Pokot bandits on March 14.
“I had a total of 330 pupils back in Mukutani. We are yet to settle because we fear for our lives,” head teacher Jackson Lecher told The Star on Thursday.
Eleven people were killed, several injured, 1,500 livestock stolen, shops looted, and more than 100 houses torched during retaliatory attacks at Mukutani Full Gospel Church.
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Schools that are yet to be opened in Baringo South include Rugus, Noosukro, Nyimbei, Kasiela, Kapndasim, Chebinyiny, Arabal, Chemorongion, Kapkechir, Keon, Sinoni, Ramacha,Karma,Katilimwo, Embosos, Sosionte and Nyimbei.
Others are Kasiela, Tuiyotich, Lamaiwe, Karne and Kabel, Rugus, Noosukro and Sirata.
In Baringo North, they include Chepkesin, Chepkew, Yatya, Chemoe, Kagir, Ngaratuko, Toboroi, Barsuswo and Lokorotabim, Moinonin, Loruk, Chepkesin and Kapturo.
Others are Kalabata, Sibilo, Rondinin, Chepkew, Kinyach, Chapin, Chemintany and Barketiew.
Teachers in the volatile zones have not returned to work since they fled last year.
Marigat-based human rights activist Amos Olempaka more than 5,000 pupils and 10,000 families had not been resettled since March last year.
Olempaka said he visited the IDPs on Wednesday and found that the security situation was still wanting.
He urged the government to immediately resettle the people.
“I am in Nairobi where I will book an appointment with Interior CS Fred Matiang'i so a delegation of my affected Ilchamus and Tugen residents see him over insecurity issues that are yet to be addressed," he told The Star by phone on Thursday.
Joshua Cheptarus, the Kenya National Union of Teachers executive secretary for Baringo, said pupils and teachers were fearful.
Cheptarus appealed for help from Baringo, Marakwet and West Pokot counties so persistent attacks along their borders end.
“I believe this is the only way to go. I am also confident that if Matiang'i applies the energies we saw in the Education ministry, the insecurity menace will also be a thing of the past."
The secretary asked Tiaty MP William Kamket to reject the "barbaric"cattle raids,
as they will completely stop learning, and asked leaders to support peace.
“Knut and the entire teaching fraternity are leading the way in going the extra mile to make sure peace and harmony are realised” he said and urged youths and religious leaders to preach peace.