CS Kindiki orders reopening of schools closed in West Pokot over banditry

Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki has directed that all schools in West Pokot County that were previously closed due to banditry be reopened.

Prof. Kindiki, who spoke on Thursday after visiting Turkwel GSU Camp, reassured residents of the government’s commitment to restore normalcy in the troubled areas saying that security measures had been put in place to ensure the protection of learners.

He said the State has set aside Ksh.100 million would be set aside to be used in reconstruction of the institutions and the purchase of new facilities.

“All schools that were closed as a result of banditry must be reopened. All schools whose infrastructure was vandalised by bandits will be reconstructed by KDF officers supported by NYS officers,” Kindiki said.

“The government will spend Ksh.100 million to restore and reconstruct all schools that were destroyed by criminals.”

Kindiki noted that the armed forces in conjunction with the National Youth Service (NYS) would be the workforce selected to oversee the project.

“KDF, supported by NYS, will reconstruct the schools. Ksh.100 million has been disbursed to finance the purchase and distribution of construction materials,” he stated.

The CS in the same light appealed to the residents to surrender all illegal firearms to the government, reiterating that more officers would be deployed to the areas to beef up security.

“While the government will recruit and deploy National Police Reservists to supplement security offered by police officers, all firearms illegally in the hands of civilians must be surrendered, or we use lawful means to disarm those in possession,” he said.

He said the government would establish seven divisions in the county and deploy officers by next week as an ultimate solution to deal with banditry.

The Interior boss also ordered for the establishment of a GSU camp in Lami Nyeusi, adding that the process would be adopted in other counties and areas battling insecurity.

“We shall establish more formed units in areas that are insecure and bring in specialised officers and equipment to deal with complex security threats such as banditry and terrorism,” he added.

“We will do our best to silence the guns in North Rift Valley, Upper Eastern, North Eastern, and Upper Coast regions. Once this is done, the government has an extensive martial plan to develop these regions because they are a critical pillar in Kenya’s economic growth and future.”

While reassuring the residents that the Kenya Kwanza regime would collectively punish or profile a whole community or region in the fight against banditry, Kindiki said crime is individual, and perpetrators of banditry would be dealt with individually. 

“Mhalifu hana kabila, mhalifu ni mhalifu. The government doesn't believe in collective condemnation of communities,” Kindiki noted.

He consequently issued a warning to political leaders or anyone inciting violence that they would be dealt with irrespective of their position or political affiliation.

“Political leaders inciting, fanning or financing banditry, livestock theft, killings and destruction of public and private property will be apprehended, whether they belong to the ruling coalition or the opposition party or parties,” the CS warned.