Charles Tarus, headteacher at Ng’aratuko Primary School, narrated how bandits attacked and burnt down the school’s premises on March 30.
Speaking to the media, Tarus said the bandits burnt down five classrooms, the store, and the administration office during the attack.
“They burnt down the office, which was linked to the store, that is around four rooms added with other four to five classes, “Tarus said.
He said the bandits also destroyed four water tanks, vandalized solar panels installed in the school and took food from the store.
“Everything has been destroyed, including documents and the student’s certificates and files. They also took the student’s food, 50 bags,” he said.
Endless Killings by Bandits
According to reports, the school was closed in mid-February this year after residents fled their homes following increased banditry action.
The learners sought to continue with their studies in three neighboring schools which were also later shut down after attacks.
Principals of boarding schools within the county have also revealed that students whose parents have been displaced have requested to remain on school during the April holiday.
“Many of them are requesting to be retained in school, the parents are also calling asking us to retain the students because most of them are not at home, they have been displaced,” said Samuel Maiyo, principal Kipcherere Secondary.
Baringo North Member of Parliament Joseph Makilaph also asked the headteachers to host such students as the school’s close for the first term holidays.
Reports also showed that 2,700 families were displaced as a result of the ongoing attacks in Baringo County.
Besides, more than 20 people have been killed by the bandits in Samburu and Baringo county since January 2024.
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Ruto Security Meeting
The attack came a few hours after President William Ruto met top security officials at his home in Kilgoris, Narok county following intensified attacks in the North Rift region.
Ruto received a brief on the security situation in the North Rift from Interior and Administration of National Government officials.
The president said the recent incidents of cattle rustling and banditry with the handled with new additional measures.
“The security operation in the North Rift has had significant impact in restoring peace. We are determined to restore peace in the North Rift and all other parts of the country that have witnessed disturbance of peace,” he said.
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Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki ,Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome and his two deputies, Douglas Kanja, and Noor Gabow, were present at the meeting with Ruto.
Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo and Rift Valley heads of security were also in attendance.
Kindiki has also made several pronouncements about the continued attacks in the North Rift region.
Speaking after the meeting, the CS said new measures will strengthen the efficiency of Operation Maliza Uhalifu in the Northern Rift Valley Region in the fight against banditry and livestock robbery.
