State to rebuild banditry ravaged schools at cost of Sh100 million

The government has embarked on reconstruction of hundreds of schools which were vandalised as a result of banditry in the North Rift. The reconstruction is expected to cost Sh100 million.

The worst hit schools are in Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Turkana and West Pokot counties.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said the ongoing security operation to flush out criminals wreaking havoc in the region had been successful.

“The money has already been released and our officers from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) will help us in the reconstruction. We must make sure that this place remains out of bounds to bandits for the rest of our time,” said Kindiki.

The government has trained more than 200 National Police Reservists (NPRs) who will assist regular security personnel in maintaining peace and order in the region.

The operation has resulted in 148 guns being recovered within the operation areas in the six North Rift counties since the government launched a multi-agency operation to flush out bandits, with 96 of the guns being surrendered in Samburu county.

“We call on those still in possession of illegal forearms to surrender them voluntarily. The government will do everything in its power to restore order in this region,” said Kindiki when he toured Baringo county.

Before the multi-agency operation, the government declared Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Laikipia and Samburu ‘disturbed’ and ‘dangerous’ counties.

The security operation is being conducted by National Police Service with the help of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel.

According to Kindiki, 31 people have so far been arrested in connection with banditry since the operation started early this year.

“We will soon apprehend more people in connection with banditry in the north. Some of those targeted are government officials, politicians and civilians,” said Kindiki.

He instructed the National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs), among them County Commissioners in the six counties, to take the lead in the recovery of stolen livestock.

“Our officers from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the National Police Service are working seamlessly to ensure that the ongoing operation to pacify the North Rift region succeeds,” added the CS.

The government has established a security camp at Kolowa at the border of Tiaty constituency in Baringo and Marakwet East in the neighbouring Elgeyo Marakwet.

According to Kindiki, the camp will have specialised security officers and will remain active even after the ongoing operation dubbed “Maliza Uhalifu North Rift” is concluded.

Governors in the region have pledged to distribute seeds to farmers in a bid to encourage them to go back to food production.

“Let us all speak out and flush out these criminals. A criminal has no tribe. A criminal has no relatives. Let’s all work together for a peaceful Kerio Valley,” said Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi.

In February, the government termed the security situation in the North Rift as a “national emergency” with more than 100 civilians and 24 police officers killed in the last six months alone.

President William Ruto, who ordered the deployment of the KDF, said the government had determined that the security situation in the North Rift was a national emergency.