By Philemon Kiprop
The school bus driver of Tot Secondary school was killed as students and teachers were left nursing serious injuries after the school bus they were travelling in came under attack by gun wielding bandits in Kerio Valley.
According to reports, the bandits waylaid the school bus, which was on its way back to school from an academic trip, at Chesuman near Arror. The bandits sprayed bullets at the bus, killing the driver on the spot and injuring scores of learners and teachers.
Speaking to Education News, security authorities confirmed the evening incident but did not divulge further on the number of people injured. However, separate sources put the number at 15 learners and two teachers.
Leaders from Elgeyo Marakwet castigated the Cabinet Secretary for interior Dr. Fred Matiangi and the Inspector General of the police Hillary Mutyambai for the insecurity in the volatile Kerio Valley region.
Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen blamed CS Matiangi and IG Mutyambai for failing to take swift action to tame banditry that has destabilized activities in the volatile area.
Nominated MCA Neddy Kiptoo termed the incident unfortunate and called on President Kenyatta to beef up security in the region.
The students and teachers are recuperating at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret.
Reacting to the incident, Dr. Matiangi said the attack, which occurred at 10:30 pm, was not supposed to happen in the first place.
He added that the school violated the government’s policy of not moving children beyond 6 pm and that together with the Inspector General they had agreed that they will arrest the principal and charge him for violating the government’s policy on school bus movement.
