Teachers’ union officials in the North Rift region have challenged the government to put in place measures that will ensure security is restored in the Kerio Valley.
Officials from the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Teachers (KUPPET) say they will mobilize their members to shut down schools if the government will not have addressed the situation by May.
In a media briefing in Eldoret, the teacher’s union officials led by KNUT National Executive Committee member Sammy Bor lamented that the insecurity in Kerio Valley had put their members’ lives at risk.
“If the government cannot provide security by next term, we shall have a major demonstration in Tot and close all schools to avoid killings of children and teachers,” said John Cheberi, Marakwet KNUT Branch Executive.
“Let the children do exams but if the situation will not have been sorted and security addressed, we will close down those schools because we’re concerned about our children, teachers and locals,” added Sammy Bor.
Kerio Valley has been hit with a wave of insecurity, as bandits terrorize locals.
The situation has led to a shutdown of several schools, and the teachers union officials from the region want the government to enhance security to learning institutions ahead of the examination period.
“The government needs to take security issues seriously. As we go to the exam period, there must increase more police officers deployed to enhance patrols and also security in school,” noted Paul Biwott, Elgeyo Marakwet Kuppet Secretary.
“We ask the government, instead of doing Panadol type of measures, they should give a lifelong solution to insecurity in Kerio Valley,” added Jacob Arusei, Secretary KNUT Rift Valley region.
The teachers union also challenged the government to take drastic measures that would flush out the bandits, whom the described as no longer cattle rustlers – but killers.
“If they (government) managed to flush Mt Elgon bandits who were living in caves, what about these ones in Kerio valley?” said the Marakwet KNUT Branch Executive.
