- Families in Angata Barrikoi urged Narok County to prioritise local learners in bursary allocations due to economic hardship caused by insecurity.
- Recurring cattle rustling, violence and property loss have left many children out of school and disrupted farming, business and livestock keeping.
- Residents appealed to county and national governments to restore security, support affected families, and strengthen accountability in police operations.
Residents of Angata Barrikoi in Narok County have appealed to the county government to prioritise learners from the area in bursary allocations, citing economic hardship caused by persistent insecurity that has left many families unable to afford school fees.
The residents said recurring incidents of cattle rustling and violence in the area have cost many households their main sources of livelihood, making it increasingly difficult for parents to educate their children.
Speaking on behalf of the community, Mary Kikwai said numerous families were struggling to cope after losing livestock and other property during the insecurity incidents. “Most families have lost their main source of income after their livestock and property were stolen or destroyed. We are appealing to the county government to give our children priority in bursary allocations so that they can continue with their education,” she said.
Florence Marusoi said the impact had gone beyond finances, with several children forced to stay home because their parents could no longer raise school fees, while those who had returned to class were struggling to concentrate. “Some of our children are still at home because we cannot raise school fees. Those who have gone back to school are unable to concentrate because of the trauma and uncertainty caused by the insecurity,” she said.
According to the parents, the prolonged insecurity has disrupted not just education but also farming, business and livestock keeping in the area, leaving many families dependent on external assistance to get by. “Education has been greatly affected, but so have farming, business and livestock keeping. We want the government to restore peace once and for all so that our lives can return to normal,” Marusoi added.
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The residents urged both the county and national governments to work jointly to restore security in the area and support affected families through education assistance and other relief programmes.
Angata Barrikoi has for years witnessed recurring insecurity linked to armed cattle rustling, illegal firearm trafficking and violent clashes along the Narok-Migori border, incidents that have resulted in loss of life, displacement of families and destruction of property.
The area has also experienced heightened tension following security operations targeting stolen livestock, with some residents accusing police officers of using excessive force against civilians during these operations.
The incidents prompted Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to visit the region in June, where he apologised for police excesses and assured residents that any officers found culpable would face disciplinary action.
Since then, the National Police Service has transferred senior police commanders in the Trans Mara area and intensified intelligence-led operations aimed at recovering illegal firearms, in what officials describe as an effort to restore lasting peace and stability in the region.
By Kimutai Langat
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