Schools reopen in Laikipia as police intensify operations after weeks of attacks

Schools were reopened Monday in parts of Laikipia that were affected by incidents of insecurity.

More elite police officers landed in Laikipia to boost ongoing operations to flush out armed men terrorizing locals.

They were seen manning some of the affected schools as pupils and students reported to class.

This came as Inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambai announced the security designated area remains a no go zone for political meetings without police clearance.

Personnel from the Border Patrol Unit of Administration Police Service, who have been operating in the northern part of the country fighting al-Shabaab terrorists joined the other teams already on the ground and pushed away herders still on the affected ranches.

Police spokesman Bruno Shioso said the area was calm and normalcy was now the order of the day.

"We are certain things will be fine. The area is calm and schools have reopened," he said.

He said security presence remains high with intensive patrols in all surrounding areas continuing.

The area has in the past weeks seen at least 10 people killed and many displaced.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi ordered more deployment of multi-agency teams to enable the schools to reopen Monday.

A meeting with the President under the National Security Council (NSC) was on September 6 held at State House over the issue.

The meeting prompted security chiefs led by Matiang’i, Chief of Defence Forces Gen Robert Kibochi, Mutyambai and his APS deputy Noor Gabow to camp in the area for three days to oversee an operation that is ongoing there.

The president had ordered the operation be carried out within a week, which ended, officials aware of the developments said.

The operation started with the declaration of a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Laikipia Nature Conservancy, one of the largest ranches affected by the insecurity.

Matiangi said that Laikipia Nature Conservancy and its environs had been immediately declared as a disturbed area and therefore a security operation zone.

Matiang'i gazette the creation of a new administrative sub county in Ol Moran area last week and named it Kirima to tackle insecurity in the area.

This creation is expected to bring government and security agencies closer to the backwaters of Sipili and Ng'arua.

Further, he said a training base for elite police units will be established in the area to enhance police presence and serve as a buffer zone between Laikipia residents and invaders from neighbouring counties.

There will be a deployment of surveyors to Laikipia to expedite the titling process and review/recommend action on lapsed leases or those about to lapse.

“We will engage relevant ministries and agencies on the ideal management of the Laikipia Conservancy to mitigate its attraction as a conflict hotspot,” he said.

The security chiefs landed in the area as multi-agency teams intensified operations to flush out gunmen on private ranches who are blamed for at least 10 deaths including three police officers and displacement of thousands who are now in churches and schools.

The attackers have been torching houses and other amenities including schools.

Edited by D Tarus