President William Ruto has directed all schools in Baringo closed due to banditry attacks to resume learning by January 2023.
Ruto said that children being out of school denies them the right to education.
Speaking on Thursday at the annual Kimalel Goat Auction and Cultural Fair in Baringo, Ruto said that Kenya will lose a whole generation when children are out of school.
"County commissioner and your team including regional commissioner, assistant county commissioner, chiefs, assistant chiefs and Nyumba Kumi, in January we want all those schools opened and children to go back to class," he said.
Ruto said that bandit attacks have been a major problem in Baringo.
He said that everyone in Baringo should live freely for the country to move forward in terms.
"We are all united in making sure that we have a peaceful Baringo and a peaceful Kenya. Because of that, we have five schools in Baringo South that have since been closed, and another three in Baringo North," he said.
"The country will lose a whole generation of young people if schools are closed because of insecurity. It is the worst crime we can commit against our children."
He directed the regional officer to camp around the schools after the holidays to make sure that every child goes to school.
Ruto cautioned leaders in the county to steer away from politics and focus on enhancing security in the region.
He said that leaders should unite with security agencies to ensure security is provided in the region.
Recently, Baringo has been prone to insecurity as a result of cattle rustling.
