A group of Members of Parliament have proposed the arming of teachers in the war-torn Kerio Valley region which has been prone to bandit attacks lately.
The group of four lawmakers want teachers given guns to enable them defend themselves and their schools in the event of the many attacks normally reported in the area.
The four are David Bowen (Marakwet East), William Kipsang' (Marakwet West), Wilson Sossion (nominated) and Jane Chebaibai, Elgeyo Marakwet Woman Representative.
Bowen said that schools have since been closed in the region following a cattle rustling raid over the weekend, noting that they will ask for arms if the government fails to return normalcy.
“We are calling on the government to beef up security in Kerio Valley. As we speak all schools have been closed. Matiang’i should take a leading role and ensure peace is restored.
If the government cannot provide security, we are calling teachers to be armed for protection," he was quoted by the Standard.
The lawmakers spoke at in a press conference at the parliament buildings on Tuesday.
Sossion urged President Uhuru Kenyatta and relevant authorities to give the region special consideration.
"Killing children aged five and nine years is nothing but criminal and the President must give it special attention,” said the MP.
They accused the ministry of Internal Security of putting too much attention on the Huduma Namba issue at the expense of helpless Kenyans.