Villages of Cheptulel and Chesegon along the border of West Pokot-Elgeyo Marakwet counties in Pokot Central Sub-County, remain deserted after a series of bandit attacks.

Bandits have continued to disrupt lives and livelihoods, paralysing learning activities and forcing the closure of more than 10 schools  and the displacement of 795 families in the region.

A recent wave of attacks has devastated communities, with bandits wreaking havoc, destroying property, and stealing livestock. 

Several schools in the area have closed indefinitely, as teachers and students flee for safety.

While some schools, including Chesegon Primary, Cheptulel Boys Secondary, Litei ECDE, and Sampoloi Moi Primary, have been closed and some partially reopened, they are operating under precarious conditions. 

Cheptulel Boys Secondary which migrated its students to Surumben primary school, for instance, has only 13 students in attendance as parents remain fearful of further attacks.

The ongoing violence has left hundreds of children out of school, with residents appealing for urgent government intervention to restore peace and stability in the region.

While visiting the banditry-prone area of Chesegon, Sigor member of Parliament Peter Lochakapong urged government through the Ministry of special programmes, Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Education to move with speed and restore peace in the region by reopening the affected learning institutions and offering foodstuffs to displaced families.

Last week, while touring the area, the cabinet secretary for special programmes Beatrice Askul pledged the government’s commitment to resettle families displaced by insecurity, assuring residents that they would receive food and long-term support to rebuild their lives.

“Even if we carry out projects, without peace, it’s all a waste,” she stated. “We have spent significant funds on beefing up security instead of channeling those resources into development projects,” said Askul.

Sigor MP Peter Lochakapong appealed to President William Ruto to provide long-term food aid to resettled families and schools.

“The displaced families and schools need food for at least two years to allow them to catch up with the rest. This support is critical for their recovery,” Lochakapong said.

The MP also urged the government to build new homes for the displaced families and provide housing for school-going children. 

“We must restore dignity to these families. They need shelter and a safe environment for their children to go back to school,” he added.

He emphasized the need for sustainable solutions to the region’s challenges.

“We need to plant drought-resistant crops like mangoes and other food crops to ensure food security and reduce dependency,” he said.

Lochakapong also urged the government to prioritize hiring local teachers to address the region’s challenges. 

“Teachers from within should be employed first. They understand the problems and challenges faced by this community better than anyone else,” he said.

Meanwhile, West Pokot County Governor Simon Kachapin pledged the county government’s commitment to rebuilding Chesegon and providing support to displaced families affected by the ongoing banditry in Pokot Central Sub-County. 

Speaking at Cheptulel Boys Secondary School during a visit to the affected areas, the governor outlined several development projects aimed at restoring normalcy and uplifting the lives of those negatively impacted by banditry.