President William Ruto has ordered the reopening of schools in Kerio Valley closed over banditry.
The President directed the Ministry of Education and stakeholders to ensure the smooth reopening of the schools within the next three months.
Schools along the Kerio Valley have been deserted due to frequent banditry attacks.
Speaking at Kerio Valley Interdenominational Prayers, Tot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Ruto also said the government will ensure families that fled are given homes.
“For the schools yet to be reopened, the Interior Minister and his Special Programs counterpart will collaborate to ensure they are opened,” the President said.
The President further directed the Ministry of Interior to deal with banditry in Kerio Valley.
In August 2024, Ruto said the government was determined to change the face of Kerio Valley and other parts of the country ravaged by banditry and other forms of insecurity.
“We will change the face of Tiaty, Baringo County, other regions in Kerio Valley and all marginalised areas so that all our children can access equal opportunities," he said.
Speaking at the same event in Kerio Valley, Ministry of Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen thanked the President for keeping his promises on silencing guns in the Kerio Valley.
"I thank the President for making good his campaign promise to silence the guns in Kerio Valley," Murkomen stated.
The Cabinet Secretary stated that they will never allow Kerio Valley to slide back to violence again.
"Anyone engaging in criminal activities will be dealt with to the full extent of the law," the cabinet secretary said.
"Peace is an indispensable ingredient in national development. That is why the Church’s pivotal contribution to the restoration of peace in Kerio Valley must be lauded."
According to Murkomen, together with the government and other actors, the Church has helped to bridge the socio-cultural divide and foster understanding between the various communities living in the region.
The cabinet secretary reiterated that the people of Kerio Valley could now go about their socioeconomic activities in peace.
"As directed by the President, we will set to work immediately with our counterparts in the Ministries of Education, East African Community, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), and Regional Development to re-open the remaining schools that had closed as a result of banditry," Murkomen stated.
"We will also operationalise all the new sub-counties and locations in the area to enhance service delivery and foster sustainable peace."
