The government has successfully reopened Soit Pus Primary School following the restoration of security in the region. The school, which had been closed for several months due to persistent banditry and cattle rustling activities, resumed operations after a concerted multi-agency effort to flush out criminals terrorizing the area. This reopening is a positive development, not just for the local students and teachers but for the entire community, which had been grappling with the devastating effects of insecurity.
Banditry and Its Impact on Education
Samburu North, like many other regions in Northern Kenya, has been plagued by insecurity, particularly along the volatile Malaso belt on the Samburu-Baringo border. The region’s rugged and inaccessible terrain, particularly the 68-kilometer-long Malaso escarpment, has long been a haven for highway bandits and cattle rustlers. These criminal elements frequently terrorize residents, forcing them to flee their homes, abandon their farms, and halt normal life. Unfortunately, schools have not been spared from the chaos, with educational institutions like Soit Pus Primary School often becoming collateral damage in the ongoing violence.
The closure of Soit Pus Primary School in mid-February was directly linked to the escalating violence. At the height of the crisis, residents, fearing for their safety, fled the area. One of the most tragic incidents that underscored the severity of the situation was the killing of Stephen Leshimpiro, a local Member of County Assembly (MCA), who was gunned down by suspected bandits while driving home. This tragic loss heightened insecurity in the area, making it impossible for normal operations to continue, including schooling.
The closure of the school left many pupils in limbo. With no access to education and a hostile environment that jeopardized their future, the students and their families were left with little hope. The community’s socio-economic activities, primarily livestock farming, were also severely affected as banditry continued unabated. The fear and uncertainty that gripped the area brought normal life to a standstill.
Government Intervention to Restore Security
The government, however, recognized the gravity of the situation and took decisive action to restore calm and normalcy. Spearheaded by Samburu County Commissioner (CC) John Cheruiyot, a multi-agency security operation was launched to eliminate the threat posed by the bandits. This operation involved multiple arms of the security forces, including the General Service Unit (GSU), the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF), and National Police Reservists (NPR). Together, these forces worked tirelessly to flush out the criminals hiding in the treacherous terrain of the Malaso escarpment.
The operation saw the deployment of additional National Police Reservists (NPR) to enhance security within the community and at key strategic points, including schools. As part of the government’s broader strategy to combat banditry, security roads were opened up towards Malaso valley, improving the mobility of security personnel and making it easier for them to respond to threats and protect residents.
The reopening of Soit Pus Primary School is a direct result of these efforts. According to Commissioner Cheruiyot, the school is now fully operational with 74 pupils reporting for class and eight teachers resuming their duties. The presence of GSU patrols along the Soit Pus-Morijo-Baragoi road, combined with the establishment of a GSU camp in Longewan village and a KDF camp in Loosuk, has significantly boosted security, enabling residents and students to return to their normal lives.
The Role of Teachers and Security Measures in Schools
As the school resumes operations, one of the immediate tasks for the teachers is preparing students to sit for the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KEPSEA). For many of these pupils, the closure of the school disrupted their learning trajectory, and they now face the challenge of catching up with the lost time. However, the teachers, led by Soit Pus Primary School Deputy Head Teacher Michael Lolmarei, have expressed optimism that with the restored security, they can focus on delivering quality education to the children.
Lolmarei acknowledged the critical role that the security organs have played in enabling the school to reopen. “With constant police patrols, I can say that security is back to normal. We start classes at 8 a.m. and end at 3 p.m.,” he said. He also confirmed that the school will have its first cohort of 21 pupils sit for the KEPSEA in the coming weeks.
The safety of both students and teachers remains a top priority for the government. To this end, Commissioner Cheruiyot assured the school’s staff that additional NPRs would be deployed inside the school compound to provide round-the-clock protection. This measure, he emphasized, is necessary to give teachers and students peace of mind as they resume normal schooling activities.
Encouraging the Return of Families and Stability
One of the challenges the government now faces is encouraging the return of residents who fled their homes during the period of insecurity. Commissioner Cheruiyot urged the teachers to reach out to parents and assure them that it is now safe for them to return home and resume their farming activities. The return of residents is crucial for rebuilding the community’s socio-economic fabric and ensuring that all students can return to school.
“We have restored security, and residents have nothing to be afraid of. It is safe for them to return to their farms so that their children can go back to school and continue learning,” Cheruiyot said during his tour of the school.
The government’s efforts have already borne fruit, with several families returning to their homes and resuming normal activities. However, there is still a need for continued vigilance to ensure that banditry and cattle rustling do not resurface. The County Commissioner appealed to the local community to work closely with security agencies by sharing information that could help track and apprehend criminals. The collaboration between residents and security forces, he noted, is key to achieving long-term peace and stability in the region.
A New Beginning for Soit Pus Primary School
The reopening of Soit Pus Primary School marks a new beginning for the community of Samburu North. For the pupils, many of whom have experienced the trauma of conflict, returning to the classroom is a welcome relief. It provides them with a sense of normalcy, hope for the future, and an opportunity to pursue their education without fear. For the teachers, the restoration of security enables them to perform their duties without constant worry for their safety.
The government’s commitment to maintaining security in the area is evident, and its multi-agency approach has proven effective in combating the threat posed by bandits. The deployment of GSU, KDF, and NPR forces, combined with community cooperation, has restored a sense of normalcy to the region.
Looking ahead, the challenge will be to sustain this peace and ensure that Soit Pus Primary School remains a safe haven for learning. The success of the first batch of pupils sitting for the KEPSEA will be a significant milestone, not just for the school, but for the entire community. It will demonstrate that even in the face of adversity, education can triumph over conflict.
Conclusion
The reopening of Soit Pus Primary School is a beacon of hope for Samburu North. It symbolizes the resilience of the community and the determination of the government to restore peace and security in the region. As pupils return to class and teachers resume their duties, there is renewed optimism that the future of education in the region is bright, and that with continued vigilance, peace will prevail.
