How one Baringo bandit took over a school, turned classrooms into bedrooms for his wives – CS Kindiki

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Wednesday shed some light on the progress his ministry has made in the fight against banditry in the troubled North Rift region.

Appearing before the Senate Committee on National Cohesion at Baringo County Hall Mini Chambers, the CS narrated how insecurityhad paralysed learning activities in the area.

According to Kindiki, one bandit even moved into one of the schools that had been shut after terror broke out and turned it into his home.

“One of the schools was taken over by bandits and the classrooms became the home of the bandits. Class Eight, became the bedroom of the head of the family, Class Seven became the bedroom of the first wife, Class Six became the bedroom of the second wife and Class Five became the bedroom of the firstborn,” he told the committee.

“There is no greater level of impunity and lawlessness. The president has directed and we have taken the directive that even the remaining schools must be reopened.”

The CS said so far, the government has reopened 14 out of the 21 schools that had been closed.

“We will do whatever it takes to defeat terror and ensure all the schools are reopened. So far we have reopened a total of 14 schools, and this is not just a media story, I know the schools,” Kindiki said.

He added that for some schools, bandits had completely vandalised and burned them down, and his ministry is working with the Ministry of Education to construct new centres.

“The reason why Lerecha Primary School is not open is because the infrastructure was burned down by bandits and there is nowhere children can go. The schools that remain shut is because their infrastructure was completely destroyed,” Kindiki said.

“We are even discussing with Teacher Service Commission to get additional teachers from the local community because most for the teachers posted there are not comfortable and keep asking for transfers,” he added.

Cattle rustlers and bandits have wreaked havoc in the country’s North Rift region, leading to the loss of hundreds of lives, displacement of residents, and loss of thousands of livestock.

The most affected counties are Baringo, Samburu, Turkana and Elgeyo Marakwet.

President William Ruto last month said he had resorted to moving CS Kindiki from his office in Nairobi to live in the insecurity-stricken region where he is expected to restore security.