Millions of property belonging to a school in Loparua in Isiolo county were destroyed by unknown assailants leaving parents and pupils counting losses.
As other schools continue to re-open for the second term across the country, learners at Olng'arua Primary School and Community Education Centre in Leparua may have to wait longer because their learning institution was destroyed and learning materials as well as other valuables were set ablaze by unknown people.
Police in the area are however conducting investigations to ascertain the motive surrounding the criminal act.
Lipan Kitonga, the school manager who was present when the attack happened, said over seven armed attackers who he recognised to be from neighbouring villages, stormed the school and started shooting forcing him to flee to safety.
The attackers also burnt down two vehicles, vandalised and torched three classes and a residential building, destroyed water tanks, a biogas digester, stole a motorcycle and a water pump, among other damages.
According to Kitonga, the school which started nine years ago is owned by the local community and helps pupils from the area to access education since there is no public school. “It has 130 pupils and was established in 2011. We had our first entry do their KCPE exam last year. It had reduced distance because the closest next school is about a walk two hours (10 kilometres) away."
"The elders from within were very thoughtful to establish the institution here. The assailants invaded the school with some livestock and started shooting indiscriminately forcing us to escape. They stole foodstuff, a solar panel, a TV, a first aid box, and books, torched the staffroom, and my house, and killed one of my three dogs. I went into hiding and reported the matter at Isiolo police station by 2am,” he said.
He added that he is saddened none of the perpetrators has been apprehended.
Parents and pupils at the school have appealed to the government to intervene in the matter to arrest the culprits and help restore learning at the school.
Tain Kiptor, a Class 8 candidate wept uncontrollably as she pleaded with the authorities to re-open their school for them to catch up with the rest of the pupils nationally preparing for their end-year exams.
“We deserve a peaceful environment. I ask the government to deploy armed security officers in our school for it to re-open. I can’t believe all our learning materials including books and even important documents were destroyed,” she said.
According to Dorcas Kiptur a parent, the school has been of great help to them since it also helps children from poor families access education without fees.
-Edited by SKanyara
