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The National Police Service has put in place adequate measures to ensure schools in the banditry-prone counties in the North Rift are safe when they reopen next week.

Every school in volatile areas has been assigned ten armed National Police Reservists (NPRs) in addition to regular police patrols.

Rift Valley Regional Police Commander Tom Odero yesterday led other senior officers in a combined operation within Baringo County where he assured residents that security had been beefed in the area.

“The area is generally pacified and conducive for school opening and normal business activities,” said Odero who addressed officers at Cemorongion, Kapindasum, Mukutani and Arabal areas.

To contain the banditry, Odero said, additional 200 NPRs were being vetted. He also addressed security officers at Arabal GSU camp in Baringo South.

“The officers are well equipped with the basic operation materials. The long-term aim of the operation is to sustain peace within the area and its environs,” said Odero.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, who toured region recently, announced the reinstatement of 300 NPRs and enlisting of another 150 to bolster security in the area which has seen the killing of more than 200 people in the past one year alone. 

The CS also announced that chiefs and their assistants would be armed. Five police officers will be attached to a chief, he added.