Sixteen private schools that were operating illegally in Matungu sub-county in Kakamega County have been closed down.
Area Deputy County Commissioner (DCC), Jacob Awuor said that a committee set up to look into operations of public and private schools in the area found out that the schools were operating without fulfilling the requirements of the Ministry of Education.
Awuor who was speaking at Matungu on Sunday during celebrations to mark Mashujaa day said that pupils who were learning from those schools were admitted to nearby public schools.
He said that 29 other schools have been put on notice to improve on facilities at the institutions by the beginning of next term failure to which they would face closure.
The DCC said that security officers in the area were on a crackdown of illicit brews as the area was being used as the gateway for second generation illicit drinks from a neighbouring country.
Awuor told the area residents to be wary of these illicit drinks that he said had a negative impact on the security of the area.
He said that all night meetings that included prayers and playing of music in funerals at night were banned three months ago following cases of insecurity in the area and noted that the ban still remains.
The Sub-County Commander of Police, Alex Ndii asked the area residents to work closely with the police by reporting cases of defilement and avoid settling such cases at home.
Ndii said that it was important that culprits of such cases faced the law as a warning to others to learn from the harsh sentences imposed.
He said that such cases stigmatized the victims and that for the vice to stop, those who committed the crime have to face the law.
By Catherine Nyongesa
