President Ruto orders military deployment to rebuild schools in bandit-affected areas

Speaking during the commissioning of the Cemtech Limited clinker plant in West Pokot, Ruto ordered the immediate deployment of KDF officers to undertake the construction of classes burnt down by bandits and repair those falling apart due to neglect. 

Ruto assured parents in the region that the government will guarantee the security of all learners and learning institutions in the coming term.

"I want to say this while I'm in West Pokot. In the next two days, the army will be in Chesogon to ensure the schools are built. They will be there to ensure that when schools open next term, the children of those schools will be there. 

It cannot be the case in the 21st century in Kenya, a democratic country, that children do not attend school because of the few offenders who want to steal cows and damage property," stated President William Ruto.

Over 20 schools have been closed indefinitely in Baringo and five others in West Pokot following incessant banditry attacks in the region, which have seen parents withdraw their children from school and others fleeing their homes to set up camps for internally displaced persons. 

The latest attack targeted Ng'aratuko Primary School, which was razed to the ground by bandits just a week ago.

"The bandits attacked our school, Ng'aratuko, in broad daylight until the police rescued us and took us away in a vehicle. We closed the classrooms and left because we were told they would surround us and finish us off," explained the head teacher of Ng'aratuko Primary School.

President William Ruto announced that the government will establish administrative units in the region to counter banditry, emphasizing his administration's commitment to addressing the menace decisively.

"The military will be there, and all the security agencies to ensure that the region is properly looked after, and we will do that in all areas in Kenya. You asked me about administrative units. We will meet with the leaders to identify the locations and prioritize," President William Ruto affirmed.

This marks the second time in his presidency that Ruto is deploying the military to the troubled North Rift. 

The first order was made in February 2023 when he ordered a joint KDF and police security operation in all bandit-prone areas. Residents in this restive region are hopeful that the president will uphold his commitment this time.