The government has beefed up security and reopened schools along the volatile Malaso belt in Samburu West Sub County, on the Samburu-Baringo border, as schools reopen for the second term.
Addressing the press today outside his office in Maralal town after chairing a security meeting, Samburu County Commissioner (CC) Henry Wafula confirmed that normalcy and calm have been restored in the area following a multi-agency security operation to flush out bandits and cattle rustlers.
Wafula said that Pura Primary School, which was closed down in 2021 after perennial banditry and cattle rustling, has been reopened, and 71 pupils and their teachers have already reported.
“Pura Primary School is a peace model institution that was constructed for both the Samburu and Pokot children but was closed down in 2021 due to insecurity. Now that peace has returned, learning is ongoing.” He said.
The CC noted that four trained National Police Reservists (NPR) have been posted to the school to ensure the safety of the pupils and teachers in case of any incidence.
At the same time, Wafula urged all residents of Poro, Pura, Loroki, Loosuk, Longewan, and all the way to Suguta Marmar to return to their farms and continue farming.
“The Malaso belt is very fertile, and it’s the bread basket of Samburu County. I assure residents of their security as they go about their farming activities,” he added.
The Commissioner also directed all chiefs and their assistants, together with NPRs, to move from house to house, urging parents to return their children to school.