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The fate of thousands of learners who are set to sit their national examination in the banditry prone Kerio Valley hangs in the balance following the new wave of attacks which has left at least 10 people dead in the past one month.

The situation has been aggravated by last weekend’s incident where daring bandits torched a police vehicle in an attempt to rescue a banditry suspect at Kaben area in Marakwet East.

Leaders from the region yesterday called on the government to fast-track the rebuilding of schools vandalized by banditry ahead of the national examination as promised by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki during a recent tour.

The leaders led by Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich warned many learners to risk not sitting for their examinations if security is not beefed up in the region.

“Calm was slowly returning to the region but the recent wave of attacks is sparking tension. We wish to condemn with the strongest terms the criminal activity conducted by a few criminals at Kaben which led to the burning of a vehicle by the same criminals,” said Rotich.

People Daily established that the community positively identified a hardcore criminal and notified the authorities who swiftly arrested him with the help of National Police Reservists (NPR) but his accomplices ganged and tried to release the suspect at Liter Police Station.

“We are reliably informed that the same criminal was the one who was forcefully discharged at Iten County Referral hospital and is now in custody.

We call on police to arrest all criminals who want to disturb the much-needed peace, especially as our children prepare to sit for their examinations,” said Rotich. “I urge the community to continue identifying and producing all criminals in both communities for us to achieve lasting peace.”