President Ruto orders reopening of all schools closed over insecurity in Kerio Valley

President William Ruto has directed that all schools in Kerio Valley that had been closed due to insecurity be reopened.

Speaking during a prayer service in the Tot area of Elgeyo-Marakwet County on Sunday, Ruto said the government would help resettle all residents who had fled their homes.

“For the 13 schools yet to be reopened, the Interior Minister and his Special Programs counterpart will collaborate to ensure they are opened,” the President said.

“By the end of January, we will support all residents who had fled their homes in West Pokot to resettle so pupils can return to their schools to avoid congestion in some schools.”

The Kerio Valley straddles the borders of Elgeyo-Marakwet, West Pokot and Baringo counties. Ruto added that new teachers will be employed to support education in the region.

“We will send 100 teachers to support the worst-affected schools in this region,” he said.

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 West Pokot, Baringo, Samburu, Turkana and Elgeyo-Marakwet, where in some cases bandits have completely vandalised schools and burned them down.