Uneasy calm is finally returning along the porous West Pokot county and its neighbouring counties after the government deployed more than 200 National Police Reservists.
A spot-check by the Star revealed that businesses that had been brought to a standstill in parts of Chesegon, Cheptulel and Masol have resumed.
West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin said the county government will work with the national government to ensure more reservists are deployed to the area, noting that the current reservists have done an remarkable job.
He called for peaceful coexistence to improve education standards in the region and to ensure learners stay in school.
“We are collaborating with the national government to ensure schools, which had been closed down as a result of insecurity, are reopened and security provided, " Kachapin said.
He reiterated the area leaders' commitment to ensure all the schools affected are reopened.
The region, which was until two months ago a ghost town, is now a beehive of activity with herders moving with a large herd of cattle in search of pasture and water. Women are also back in the gold mines to earn a living.
Residents have lauded the deployment of NPRs, saying they have boosted security.
Masol MCA Wilson Chekeruk, however, raised concern over the government's delay in fulfilling its promise to reconstruct and reopen schools.
He said schools where learning is yet to resume are Cheptulel Boys, Cheptulel Girls, as well as Samplomoi, Cheratek, Kases, Apollo, Takaiywa primary schools along the border of West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet.
Others include Kissa, Ptoh, Kases, Takaywa, Lonyanyalem and Pough primary schools.
Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said the government has set aside Sh100 million towards the reconstruction of all schools.
The exercise will be carried out by the Kenya Defence Forces and National Youth Service.
"The government will also deploy more teachers to ensure learning resumes fully and continues uninterrupted," Kindiki said.
The CS also directed the establishment of Lami Nyeupe (formerly Lami Nyeusi) General Service Unit Camp in Sigor constituency and establishment of seven new divisions and other administrative units, among them, Chepkobhegh, Kodich, Sekerr, Masol, Kaptabuk, Miskwony and Endough.
The divisions are however yet to be gazetted.