Schools Reopen Amidst Tight Security In Laikipia

LAIKIPIA, Kenya, Sept 13- Schools were Monday reopened in parts of Laikipia that were affected by incidents of insecurity amid tight security.

More elite police officers landed in Laikipia to boost the ongoing operation that is meant to flush out armed men terrorizing locals.

This came as Inspector General of police Hillary Mutyambai announced the security designated area remains a no-go zone for political meetings without police clearance.

Personnel from the Border Patrol Unit of Administration Police Service, who have been operating in the northern part of the country fighting al-Shabaab terrorists joined the other teams already on the ground and pushed away herders from the affected ranches.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi had ordered more deployment to enable the schools to reopen on Monday.

He also gazetted the creation of a new administrative sub-county in Ol Moran area and named it Kirima to tackle insecurity in the area.

The creation of a new sub-county is expected to bring government and security agencies closer to the backwaters of Sipili and Ng’arua.

Further, a training base for elite police units will be established in the area, in a bid to enhance police presence and serve as a buffer zone between Laikipia residents and invaders from neighboring counties.

There will be a deployment of surveyors to Laikipia to expedite the titling process and review or recommend action on lapsed leases or those about to lapse.

“We will engage relevant ministries and agencies on the ideal management of the Laikipia Conservancy to mitigate its attraction as a conflict hotspot,” Matiang’i said.

The security chiefs landed in the area as multi-agency teams intensified operations to flush out gunmen on private ranches and who are blamed on at least ten deaths including three police officers and displacement of thousands who are now in churches and schools.

The attackers have been torching houses and other social amenities including schools.