Ruto Oders Reopening of Schools Affected by Bandits in WestPokot

*Interior CS Kithure Kindiki inspects a closed school in West Pokot. PHOTO/*Kindiki(X)

By Benson Aswani,

President William Ruto has assured residents of Chesogon area of Pokot West County that academic activities will be resumed in the five schools yet to open up for first term.

The President has ordered military to open the schools which are Chesogon, Cheptulel, Ksaa, Arpollo & Sablumoi destroyed by bandit while further directing for repairs in the schools.

According to reports by the authorities, the schools were shut down due to the insecurity cases reported in the area hence the school going children could not access education for the fear of being attacked while heading to school.

Speaking in Sebit on Monday 8th when he presided over the official opening of Sebit cement factory, Ruto said that army officers will be sent to the area in the next two days to ensure that the schools that were destroyed are rebuilt.

“Two days from today we will send army officers to the Chesogon area to ensure that the schools that were destroyed by criminals in the area are repaired and academic activities start when the schools open for the next term,” said President Ruto.

Meanwhile, Ruto further added that his government will make more efforts to ensure that criminals who cause insecurity in the Kerio Valley counties are faced, while emphasizing that it will not be acceptable in this century for academic activities to be disrupted by cases of insecurity.

“We will not allow in this century, and in a democratic nation, children not to have the right to get an education because of a few criminals who are chasing livestock here and there,” he said.

Notably Ruto’s statement came up after a call from a section of leaders in West Pokot County led by Sigor Member of Parliament Peter Lochakapong, who said that despite the government’s promise on the schools reopening, the schools have remained closed due to lack of security.

“There are five schools in Chesogon area that despite the government’s promise that they would be opened, the schools are still closed so far due to the lack of security in those areas,” said Lochakapong.

Worth noting according to reports twenty four schools have been shut down in Baringo and West Pokot County in general over insecurity cases.

Notably according to the President’s directive, the Military Officers are expected to be on the ground from Wednesday 10th of April 2024.