The National Police Service has said that the bandit attack on school buses in Elgeyo Marakwet could have been avoided.
In a statement on Friday, Police spokesperson Bruno Shioso said that had the school's administration complied with set policy on transport by the Ministry of Education, the attack wouldn't have happened.
"This unfortunate attack could have been avoided if the school administration had exercised caution and complied with existing Ministry of Education policy on school transport beyond 1800hrs," he said.
Police termed the attack as callous and irresponsible for targeting innocent passengers and school children.
Shioso said the National Police Service has already sent a multi-agency security operation team to pursue the bandits.
The Inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambai also directed all police commands across the country to enforce the night travel policy for schools.
During the Thursday night attack, the driver of the bust died on the spot, while 13 students and two teachers sustained injuries.
The incident occurred at about 10 pm along the Arror-Mogil road near Tot in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
The students and the teachers were from an academic tour in a convoy of three buses belonging to Tot Day School, Kerio Valley School and Mogil school.
The heavily armed bandits attacked the Mogil Secondary School bus, which was leading the convoy, killing the driver instantly.
On Friday, Education CS George Magoha has warned school heads against allowing buses out of school past 6.30 in the evening.
Speaking during the handover of keys and padlocks of exam containers to county directors, Magoha said action will be taken against heads defying this directive.
"I urge officials in the field to intercept school buses operating after 6 pm," Magoha said.
Interior CS Fred Matiang'i also echoed Magoha's sentiments, saying evening travel is risky for students.
"We will arrest the principal for violating school rules. School buses should not be out past 6.30," Matiangi said.
