Prof. Kithure Kindiki promises adequate security for students in bandit dominated areas GET MORE..

Prof. Kithure Kindiki, Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Government Administration, has urged parents in bandit-infested areas to send their children back to school next month, assuring them of adequate security.

CS Kindiki was on an inspection tour of Cheptulel Boys Secondary School and Sapulmoi Primary School in Sigor Constituency, West Pokot County, which are two of the schools being rebuilt in the aftermath of a wave of bandit attacks in Samburu and West Pokot counties.

According to CS Kindiki, the facilities will be ready when schools reopen on January 8.

“President William Ruto’s instructions are very clear. All schools that were closed due to insecurity posed bandits and other armed criminals must be reopened in January when the learning schedule resumes,” CS Kindiki said. 

“We will ensure that all schools whose infrastructure was vandalised by bandits are rehabilitated and ready for use by January 8th 2024 when the first term of the 2024 academic kicks off….”

The Interior Ministry chief stated that the government will provide 24-hour security, including specialised officers and National Police Reservists (NPRs), to ensure the safety of the students.

At the same time, he stated that the government will provide enough food to feed all of the children in the affected schools, especially since their parents were unable to till their land due to insecurity.

He also reassured parents that the schools would have enough teachers and that their safety would be guaranteed.

“TSC has assured us that all these schools will have sufficient teachers to teach our children. The safety and security of our teachers will be guaranteed. They have no reason to fear. We must not allow a few criminal elements to derail the education of our children and sabotage the next generation…” he added. 

He also urged parents not to encourage their children to become bandits, claiming that the cattle rustling business is unsustainable.

“Parents don’t put your children in harm’s way, by encouraging them to engage in banditry. That business of livestock theft is unsustainable. Any person who attacks our security officers is violating the sovereignty of our Nation and we shall not allow such acts…’ he said. 

His visit came just a day after he toured Karanga Joto, which is located on the border of Baringo North and Tiaty Sub-Counties in Baringo County, and shared lunch with frontline officers.

During his visit, he stated that the government has made significant progress against bandits, up to 70%, and that he was working to eliminate remaining elements by 2024.

According to the CS, next year will be a significant year in the fight against banditry, with the security agencies in charge of the matter focused on eradicating banditry in order to open up the Northern Rift Valley Region for development and economic growth, social infrastructure, and amenities such as schools, medical facilities, and markets. 

To strengthen Kenya’s security capacity, CS Kithure revealed that the government will spend at least Ksh.7 billion per year to modernise security officers’ equipment.

“We will be spending at least Ksh.7B every year, to modernise the equipment for our security officers,” he added. 

“The first consignment of modern equipment that includes MRAPs, aerial surveillance kits that includes drones and personal protective gear is on the way and will be arriving in the country in the next 7 to 10 days…”