Kindiki: How Bandits Took Over School, Turned Class 7,6 Into Wives' Bedrooms

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Wednesday, March 1 uncovered the crude ways bandits were using schools in Baringo after taking over them, interfering with their plans to reopen.

Speaking before the Senate Committee on National Cohesion at Baringo County Hall Mini Chambers, Kindiki lamented that the schools were shut down for a long time over the increased insecurity, adding that some of them were completely destroyed by the bandits.

The CS was responding to questions asked by the committee regarding the progress his ministry had made in the fight against banditry in the troubled North Rift region.

While further recognising the gravity of the situation, Kindiki also noted that the affected schools had no infrastructure.

“Even if we wanted to open some of the schools, the children would not have anywhere to go to because some of the schools have been completely burnt down by bandits.

“The schools that have remained closed don't have any infrastructure. One of the schools was even taken over by the bandits,” Kindiki explained.

To make matters worse, Kindiki revealed that one of the schools was converted into a family home to house the bandits.

Some classrooms were converted into their homes, with up to four upper primary school classes being converted into bedrooms; two for their wives, and one for the firstborn.

“One of the schools was taken over by bandits and the classrooms became the home. Class Eight became the bedroom of the head of the family, Class Seven became the bedroom of the first wife, Class Six became the bedroom of the second wife, and Class Five became the bedroom of the firstborn,” he added.

He further noted that up to 14 schools were reopened in the area even though learning activities were paralysed in some schools.

“Over 21 schools, 16 in Baringo south, and 5 in Baringo North have been closed for years because of banditry attacks. People living in those areas have been fleeing for safety. 

“We have however been able to open a total of 14 schools that I can personally name,” Kindiki added.

He went on to reveal that the Ministry contacted the Teacher Service Commission (TSC) in order to hire more tutors from the North Rift region to teach in local schools, further noting that the ongoing crackdown, unlike past operations, was aimed at ensuring the region was safe for the opening of schools and for Kenyans to go about their lives in peace.

Kindiki also revealed to the MPs that the bandits had daringly evolved from a cultural practice to a form of anarchy where the communities lived under the mercy of the bandits, adding that this was evidence of the impunity and lawlessness that befell the North Rift region.