Lamu county commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo. He has ordered for schools in terror prone areas to re-open by Monday. Photo/nation.co.ke
The government has ordered for the immediate re-opening of several schools in the Coast region that have been closed due to insecurity caused by al-Shabaab.
Lamu county commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo said teachers working in terror prone areas in the region can resume work.
Five schools in terror-prone Basuba ward in Lamu East have been closed for three years owing to frequent al-Shabaab attacks.
The five schools are Basuba, Milimani, Mangai, Mararani and Kiangwe primary schools after teachers fled the area due to the attacks and the increased level on insecurity.
Mr Kitiyo however assured security to all teachers working in the region saying that the government has enhanced security and adequate arrangements made to ensure teachers and tutors are deployed to teach in the five schools by Monday, January 29.
He urged parents to take their children back to school and warned of dire consequences for any parent who fails to heed the directive.
Mr Kitiyo also directed that two schools in Lamu East and West that were closed recently following al-Shabaab raids and attacks in their areas to be reopened immediately.
“We want schools in Basuba and also Ishakani and Pandanguo primary schools to be reopened by Monday. Adequate security measures are in place that will ensure learning in these schools proceed peacefully and safely for both the learners and teachers.”
“Am asking parents in Basuba, Milimani, Mangai, Mararani and Kiangwe to cooperate with the government and send their children to school. It will be a crime if anyone will be found still keeping their children at home beyond next Monday,” said the county commissioner.