Learning yet to resume in four schools in Turkana, Murkomen

Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen at Harambee House, Nairobi on June 26, 2025 [Edward Kiplimo, Standard]

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has affirmed government commitment to ensure learning resume in Turkana County.

The CS admitted that the security situation in parts of Turkana County remains volatile, with several schools still yet to resume, three years' down following years of sustained bandit attacks.

Speaking during in Lodwar on Wednesday, Murkomen said at least four schools in Turkana South and Turkana East are yet to be reconstructed, despite President William Ruto's directive to reopen all learning institutions shut due to insecurity.

"When the President came into office, he ordered the restoration of schools closed because of banditry," Murkomen said.

"Some schools in Turkana County are yet to be completely restored. In this financial year, some resources have been allocated and we believe the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) will soon receive funding to begin the reconstruction."

Murkomen said cross-border tensions continue to fuel violence in the region pointing to persistent raids by militias from neighbouring countries.

"This is a challenge we are still facing. It may now be necessary to deploy a multi-agency team at the entry points into our country, including the KDF, to bolster the efforts of police and local security groups such as the National Police Reserve (NPR)," he said.

The CS further said the government is yet to account victims of February 2025 Todonyang attack, where dozens were reportedly killed during a cross-border raid by suspected Ethiopian militia.

"Some of the victims are suspected to have drowned in Lake Turkana while fleeing. We are still verifying the numbers. Without recovering the bodies, we cannot legally declare them dead," he explained.

He added that while missing persons reports indicate higher fatalities, some individuals could still be alive across the border though this remains unverified.

"We must be careful not to make assumptions. The law requires clear evidence before we confirm any deaths," he said. Learning yet to resume in four schools in Turkana