Rift Valley Regional Commissioner (RC) George Natembeya has promised schools facing insecurity challenges in the North Rift that the government shall provide safety for them.
Natembeya gave the assurance on Monday during a peace meeting at Teren in Kinyach area along the border of Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet counties.
More than ten schools have already closed while others are on the brink of closing down as a result of insecurity in the area.
He stated that the government will not tolerate criminals causing lawlessness to a point where learners are cut off from engaging in studies at their respective institutions.
“Examinations are around the corner in March and if these criminals are not immediately stopped, our children will be challenged while sitting for their final exams since they would not have prepared adequately,” Natembeya said.
He was flanked by the Regional Education Officer Jared Obiero and TSC Regional Director Adow M. Bardad.
The RC who also visited Barwessa Secondary School in Baringo North during the launch of 155 CBC Classrooms worth Ksh 120 million, instructed county commissioners from the two counties to identify schools affected so that they can be provided with security personnel to man their institutions and deter any of such threats.
“I am calling upon parents and guardians from the affected schools to take their children back so that they can continue with the education calendar uninterrupted because we will provide security to each one of them,” Natembeya said.
At the same time, he instructed county education officials to follow up on missing teachers who may not have reported back to their respective schools to teach since their security will be assured.
He said that education is an equalizer that can eradicate harmful retrogressive cultural practices amongst communities and transform their area so that it can be at par with other developed regions.
Local leaders present during the meeting led by Baringo governor Stanley Kiptis and his Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart Alex Tolgos urged residents to live in harmony and avoid behaviors that breed enmity amongst themselves.
The heightened tension in the border of the two counties is as a result of about 17 livestock which are believed to have been stolen by armed civilians suspected to be from Marakwet.
This has also seen the vandalism of a bridge connecting the two areas.
The leaders called on the two communities which for decades enjoyed cordial relationships to set a good example to other warring communities by burying the hatchet and champion for peaceful coexistence.
