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Wycliffe Kipsang 

The government has deployed additional security to all schools along the restive Kerio Valley region ahead of national examinations start. 

The deployment follows an attack by suspected bandits on a school bus, which left two teachers and 13 learners injured. 

Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Mohammed Maalim assured parents that security will be enhanced during the period to ensure examinations are held in a conducive environment in all centers. 

Speaking at the regional headquarters in Nakuru town after briefing with security officers and ministry of education officials, Maalim said police are pursuing three suspects behind the school bus shooting. 

“The matter is still under active investigations and our teams on the ground led by Baringo County Commissioner and the detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are dealing, we have three names and we will be acting soon,” said Maalim 

Maalim noted that save for three students admitted with injuries from the bandit attack, the rest are out of hospital saying the government has further activated specialised units to do patrols on routes where students will be plying. 

“We have deployed several platoons of General Service Unit and the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) officers on the ground to provide security to students and locals, anyone who thinks they can disrupt the exercise is dreaming,” said Maalim. 

He disclosed that after a series of meetings with his security intelligence committee and the education stakeholders resolved to convert some institutions to temporary boarding centers during the examination period in a bid to provide adequate security to the candidates. 

Maalim said at least 570,000 students are expected to sit for the 2021 national examinations saying the government has installed officers in all the learning institutions in the region. 

“Some centres will have to be converted to temporary boarding facilities to give candidate accommodations, and in keeping them there, part of relief food flagged by the president to ASAL areas will be directed to the students, among other logistical arrangements,” he added. 

Alternative centers

He said in West Pokot five schools had been affected – including St Marys Girls Cheptule, Cheptulel Boys, Cheptulel Primary, Cheratak Primary, and Sarmach Primary revealing some candidates have been relocated to alternative centers. 

The administrator revealed that long distances to examination centers, insecurity and the Kenya National Examinations Council regulation on the number of candidates per center was the main reasons they resolved to convert some institution to temporary boarding schools.