North Rift schools destroyed by bandits renovated, work on 10 others ongoing

Renovation of four schools vandalised by ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/national/article/2001487972/kindiki-war-on-banditry-70pc-won">bandits in North Rift< has been completed while works on 10 others are still going on.

The government, in its report on the ongoing ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/national/article/2001474649/cs-kindiki-unveils-new-plans-to-fight-banditry">‘operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift’<, said the four schools are ready for use as the new term starts.

Army Special Operation Team Commander Brigadier Ahmed Saman, the head of the operation, said three of the repaired schools are in Baringo and one in Turkana.

“In the phase of the operation, six schools were renovated in June last year, among them Kapedo Mixed Secondary, Chesitet Primary, Kositei Primary, Kasokotow Primary and Kapindusum Primary,” he said.

The programme, he said, targets 21 schools affected by banditry across Baringo, Turkana, Samburu, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot and Laikipia.

“Normalcy has returned in the region. We have embarked on renovating 10 more schools across the six counties,” Saman said.

In December, ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/national/article/2001488385/hustlers-sue-ruto-over-empty-poll-pledges-demand-sh426b-compensation">President William Ruto<, speaking during the Kimalel goat auction, ordered the reopening of 21 schools that closed down due to banditry.

The renovation of the schools that started in May last year will cost taxpayers a total of Sh100 million.

Baringo County Commissioner Stephen Kutwa said the area is calm. “The renovations will be completed before we reopen schools. We are expecting a big number of learners. The mop-up of learners is ongoing to ensure they attend school with guaranteed security.”

The military has been spearheading the operation since  February 13 last year. It is aimed at ending cattle rustling and initiating key development projects to open up the region for business.