Ol Moran: Residents Urge Government To Further Heighten Security As Some Schools Remain Closed

LAIKIPIA,Kenya, Oct, 16 – For more than a month Ol-Moran area of Laikipia county as well as the Laikipia Nature Conservancy have been designated by the government as a disturbed and security operation zone after at least 13 people including security officers were killed by suspected bandits.

A multi-agency security team consisting of, KDF, General Service Unit, Rapid Deployment Unit and the Kenya Forest Service wardens have been deployed in the volatile conservancy which is located in Laikipia West.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Edward Mbugua recently reiterated the government’s earlier directive calling on all non residents in the areas designated as security operation zones in Laikipia county to vacate the area with immediate effect.

In statement to Mbugua said that the multi-agency operation will continue in heightened manner until full normalcy is restored within the affected areas.

“Members of the public are encouraged to help multi-agency teams with information to help clear unwanted elements from the disturbed areas. Those who volunteer information n confidence are assured of their security and safety,” said mbnugua in a statement.

The government had on Tuesday ordered all non-residents within Laikipia County’s security operation area to leave as part of efforts to enforce peace and stability in the region.

For scores of learners however, some schools still remain closed due to incessant banditry attacks.

Learners from the troubled Ol-Moran and Nga’rua divisions in Laikipia County are yet to resume school.

A spot check revealed that only a few learners have reported to school. For instance,at Mbogoine primary school in Ng’arua Dvision and Nagum primary school in Ol-Moran, no pupils had reported by midday Wednesday and only teachers and other workers were present, while in other nearby schools, only few pupils had returned.

At Tumaini Academy that is run by the Catholic Church in Ol-Moran, at least 75% of learners have resumed learning according to the school manager Peterson Muthua.

Muthua however says several efforts have been put in place to ensure learned come back with parents being assured of their children’s safety.

Parents however say that some of the criminals that have terrorised them for months are still within the area.

Ol-Moran divisional Education Officer Patrick Kimani said that the government has put adequate security measures to ensure the safety of not only learners but also members of the community.