By Malachi Motano
The on-going government security operation intending to flash out the infamous armed bandits in Baringo County leaves Teachers’ unions and security officials in collision over forcing teachers to work in the regions
According to The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), TSC should withdraw all teachers from areas that are not secure.
Baringo KNUT Branch Executive Joshua Cheptarus said that education is not a matter of life and death and the union is not ready to lose members to the deadly bullets of bandits.
“It is unfortunate that at the moment, the resumption of education has not gone ahead in ten schools which include Embosos, Chemoroing’ion, Arabal, Kapndasum, Chebinyiny, Sossionte, and Kasiela primary schools. Also, Kiserian, Sinoni, and Nyimbei primary and secondary schools in Baringo South sub-county,” he says.
He says the learners and teachers afraid of going to school for learning due to the novel bandit attacks, raiding of livestock, and the on-going government security operation intending to flash out the infamous armed bandits.
On Friday (14/05/2021), many locals whereby learners were among them, fled for their lives after armed bandits stormed the Chemorong’ion area, in Baringo South at around 5 pm and got away with 74 heads of cattle.
In March this year, a 65-year old man by the name of Gabriel Lekichep was shot to death while a woman, one Jackeline Lekidogo of age 36 was grievously wounded alongside her two and a half-year-old child.
A soldier belonging to Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) was also shot dead at close range during a firing exchange some meters away from their Mukutani camp causing more fear among residents.
The trend has continued for long despite the region hosting heavily armed security officers including KDF, Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU), General Service Unit (GSU), and even the Kenya Forest Service wardens.
However, Cheptarus announced that they will lobby teachers against teaching in areas in the county that are not safe if their security is not guaranteed.
In his support, KUPPET’s Baring branch chairperson David Kibet and the treasurer Fanuel Kipsoi also implored the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to consider withdrawing teachers as soon as possible from these areas infested with bandits.
“There is nothing to discuss here. If the government cannot intervene to finish the problem of banditry, then we cannot whosoever allow our teachers to work there,” said the treasurer, Mr. Kipsoi.
Baringo County Commissioner Henry Wafula urged teachers to teach without fearing for their lives.
“Because as it is now we are committed as a government to provide security to individual teachers, learners, and our schools in the insecurity-prone areas,” said the Baringo County Commissioner.
Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya assured residents that there is hope, saying that everything is under control.
Commissioner Natembeya promised to wage a tough war against the bandits until they are all eliminated.
“This time around we cannot leave any stone unturned,” he said.
Following a peace meeting at Marigat Hotel, where Pokot leaders led by Tiaty MP William Kamket and West Pokot Governor Professor John Lonyangapuo urged the government to lift the operation and give 30 days for them to engage locals and help end banditry in the region.
Among those who were present were Governor Stanley Kiptis, Baringo Women representative, and Baringo Senator Gideon Moi.
