For nearly three years, Kapindasm Primary School in Baringo County stood abandoned, a symbol of the devastation caused by banditry and insecurity. The once-thriving institution, like 13 others in the region, had been forced to shut its doors as families fled their homes to escape violence. Classrooms fell into disrepair, and the sound of children learning was replaced by silence.
Now, after years of instability, these schools are finally reopening, marking a turning point in the long battle for security and access to education in the region.
Since 2021, rampant banditry in Baringo displaced hundreds of families, disrupting daily life and forcing schools to close. Kapindasm Primary was among the hardest hit, with classrooms vandalized and school property destroyed. Teachers and pupils were left with no option but to seek safety elsewhere, leaving the institution in ruins.
The closure of schools in the region had long-term consequences. Pupils who should have been advancing in their education were left behind, some forced into early labor, while others relocated to distant towns where they struggled to integrate into new schools. Parents and guardians, fearing for their children’s safety, opted to keep them at home rather than risk their lives traveling to school.
The journey to reopening these schools has been slow and challenging. Following months of intense security operations, the government and a multi-agency security team worked tirelessly to restore order in the affected areas. Additional security personnel were deployed, and efforts to reclaim stolen land allowed displaced families to return home.
Repairs on damaged school structures began as security improved. Classrooms were refurbished, desks repaired, and learning materials replaced. The government, alongside community leaders and local organizations, played a crucial role in mobilizing resources to ensure schools were ready to receive learners once again.
With schools now reopened, children are slowly trickling back to class, eager to resume their studies. The return, however, comes with its challenges. Many students have missed years of schooling, creating a gap in learning that teachers now have to address through remedial programs.
Nevertheless, the reopening of schools in Baringo is a significant milestone in restoring normalcy to the region. It symbolizes resilience, hope, and the unwavering determination of a community that refuses to let insecurity define its future.
As education resumes, it is now up to security agencies, school administrators, and the community to ensure that these institutions remain safe, giving children a chance to rebuild their dreams.
