Baringo County commissioner (CC) Stephen Kutwa has revealed that two schools marooned by floods would remain closed as others resumed learning Monday from the extended holiday.
Kutwa was referring to Longeiwan and Leswa Primary Schools in Marigat Sub County that were partially submerged by floods after Perkera and Molo rivers broke their banks.
He said plans of relocation have been put in place for affected pupils to learn in neighbouring schools with Loitip primary expected to host quite a number of them due to its capacity to accommodate additional pupils.
Kutwa made the remarks at his Kabarnet office on Monday while giving a preliminary report to KNA which had sought to know about the state of schools in Baringo.
He noted that they do not want to risk the lives of school going children hence they would wait for the flood waters in the affected schools to subside before taking the learners back to their respective institutions.
The County Commissioner further noted that majority of schools in Baringo North Sub-county opened during the first day of term two although turnout was low due to insecurity challenges especially in parts of Saimo Soi and Bartabwa wards.
Kutwa encouraged learners and parents from the insecurity ravaged areas to return to their deserted homes saying they have enhanced security measures adding that no public servant should use the security challenge as an excuse.
“We are telling all government officials to refrain from baseless excuses that will make them not report to work since we are guaranteeing them their safety,” he added.
The Baringo CC bemoaned last month’s boat tragedy that claimed lives of seven school going children in Baringo South and said safety measures have been enhanced to protect learners in schools bordering Lake Baringo who used boats as means of transport.
“We have enforced safety measures that mandates passengers to use safety jackets besides ensuring that the boats carry only the required capacity. We have also trained 200 coxswains to enhance their navigation skills, restricted transport operations to licensed boat operators, marking of designated routes for passenger boats and for fishing boats,” he expounded.
Commissioner Kutwa said that only registered boats would be allowed to operate on Lake Baringo cautioning that a legal action shall be taken against operators found culpable of violating the stipulated rules and guidelines.
By Benson Kelio and Joshua Kibet
