By Amoto Ndiewo
Insecurity in Lamu has once again forced learners in terror prone Boni forest not to report to school since it reopened three weeks ago.
A survey by Education News reveals that most learners in the terror prone Boni Forest attend Mokowe Arid Zone Boarding School. The school was found in 1992 to cater for Boni, Sanye, and Orma communities which lived behind God’s in Lamu County.
The survey indicate that Boni learners from grade 3 to 8 are living in fear in the unsafe villages and some have not reported to school since reopening on 3rd January2022.
Talking to Education News on phone Omar Boru, a Lamu resident said parents are in fear to release their children due to the recent attacks from the trigger happy al-shabaab bandits
“The children can’t report due to transport and security hitches in the area,’’ said Omar Boru.
The headmaster of Mokowe Arid Primary school Mr Charles Mzee confirmed the fears, reiterating that most learners are still holed up in the safety of their homes due insecurity and transport logistics.
“We understand this lack of attendance due to transport and insecurity hitches which has made parents reluctant to release their offsprings,’’ Mzee said as he regretted the time lost for the candidates.
Mzee pledged for help from security forces under Operation Linda Boni to flush out the al-shabaab in the area.
Without giving a timelines, the Lamu county Education Director Joshua Kaaga assured that plans were under way to transport learners and their tutors to school.
In the past, from 2014 Basuba, Milimani, Mangai, Mararani, and Kiagwe primary schools were closed after being torched and vandalised by the terror group.
