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Killings targeting learners and teachers in the banditry prone North Rift has sparked fears that armed criminals are determined to derail education in the region.

More than 20 people, among them teachers and school children, have been killed in the past one year in the porous region.

The latest incident was on Monday evening where armed bandits staged an attack at Yatya area in Baringo North and shot dead two people among them a primary school pupil. During the attack, an unknown number of bandits raided the home of Yatya location chief Jackson Keitany and killed the two before making away with an unknown number of livestock.

Baringo County Police Commander Julius Kiragu said police have been deployed to track down the criminals. Just two weeks ago, armed bandits shot dead Kagir Primary School head teacher Thomas Kibet. Kibet, who had been leading peace efforts in the region was on a motorcycle with his wife and a child on their way to Kipcherere Secondary School in Baringo North sub-county for a function when they were ambushed by armed bandits in Namba area.

He had survived another attack by rustlers at the age of nine, leaving him totally blind. Also, meeting his death in similar circumstances is Tuluk Primary School deputy head teacher who was found dead with gunshot wounds in December last year. According to residents, Elijah Simotwo, 57, was last seen at the shopping centre the previous day.

The incident happened barely five days after five people were killed by bandits in the same locality. Another attack which sparked a public outcry over runaway insecurity in the region was the killing of three Grade Three pupils at Arror Primary School in Elgeyo Marakwet last year.

Gibson Maiyo, Shadrack Kiplagat and Brian Kiptoo were shot dead by armed bandits as they were eating mangoes during lunch hour near their school.

Kenya National Union of Teachers and Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers officials in the North Rift have raised concern over runaway insecurity and threatened to pull out their members from the porous region if they are not assured of their security.