Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi has lauded security agencies for speedily responding to the banditry attack in Baringo South that brought schoolchildren and the locals to safety.
Cheboi noted with happiness that nobody was killed during the incident, which was highlighted by a section of the media as having lasted for more than seven hours.
“I want to report to you that there was no casualty; nobody was killed. The only challenge is our children, who are living in fear and yet they are preparing for their examinations,” he said.
Cheboi, who spoke on Wednesday at his office grounds in Kabarnet town during the launch of the Sh159 billion five-year County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP), called for more support from all stakeholders whom he asked to empathise with the affected schoolchildren so that they can get a humble time to sit for the coming national examinations.
Governor Cheboi was joined by County Assembly Speaker Vincent Kemboi in condemning the attacks in parts of Mukutani and Mochongoi Wards that are threatening to paralyse the administration of this year’s national examination for both primary, junior secondary, and secondary schools.
He echoed the governor’s sentiments over the insecurity resulting from banditry and cattle rustling and asked members of the public to volunteer information that will help security agencies manage the situation.
Kemboi called for prayers from all God-loving people in the world, saying victims of insecurity, including schoolchildren in Baringo County and other affected parts of the North Rift region, need divine intervention for peace to prevail.
On the CIDP, Cheboi welcomed development cooperation from all development partners to assist the county government in breaching the resource and capacity gaps likely to be experienced during the implementation of the CIDP, noting that their support will help his administration to achieve the set targets for the 2023–2027 plan.
He urged the residents to take ownership of the development plan by actively getting involved in its implementation besides holding them accountable.
He promised that any question that the county government will be asked by the public or any other interested entity concerning the CIDP implementation will be satisfactorily answered.
By Vincent Miningwo and Christopher Kiprop
