14 schools closed due to attacks

Hundreds of pupils have been withdrawn from school in Lamu County due to insecurity.

Recent attacks in which scores were brutally murdered and persistent fear has pushed authorities to close down 14 primary schools and one secondary school in the region.

Lamu County Director of Education Charles Mwanyoha Ndegwa said the affected schools include 11 in Hindi and four in Witu.

Speaking to the Nation yesterday, Mr Ndegwa said the institutions include Maleli, Pandanguo, Maisha Masha and Jipendeni primary schools in Witu.
“The few teachers available are ready to teach but there are no pupils in classes,” he said.

“We have 10 primary schools and one secondary school in Hindi which will remain closed indefinitely.”

Many school going children in areas affected by the recent attacks moved with their parents who fled as far as Malindi and Mombasa towns.

Mr Ndegwa, however, said that learning resumed in Mpeketoni several weeks after the town was raided by gunmen who killed 48 people.

“Learning is on in schools within Mpeketoni save for Mkumbuni Primary which was closed on Tuesday due to the attack on Lamu Conservation Trust, which I am informed reopened yesterday,” he said.

The education official expressed concern that the insecurity in Mpeketoni, Poromoko, Witu and Hindi would negatively impact on education in the county if the situation is not arrested.

County Education Executive Kaviha Khamisi said schools in Witu have an average of 100 pupils. Maisha Masha Primary School the highest – 800.

 He said the county government would consult the Teachers Service Commission and the Education ministry on the problem.

“We are also talking to teachers and parents over the situation to assure them it will be addressed. It’s the onus of the national government to fix insecurity,” Mr Khamisi said.

Many pupils, teachers and parents were still mourning the loss of their loved ones who were killed in the attacks.

Roka-Kibiboni Primary School head teacher, Mr Julius Gicheru, said the school was still mourning after one of its pupils and his father was killed. Two parents of pupils in the same school were also killed.

At Bar’goni Primary School, only the head teacher, Mr Ahmed Mohamed, was present on Thursday.

“I have tied to persuade parents to release their children but they haven’t,” he said. “They fear for their lives.”

Lamu Inter-Faith Peace Forum

Meanwhile, religious leaders in Mpeketoni Thursday launched a movement aimed at preaching peace and unity in the region.

The new group called Lamu West Inter-Faith Peace Forum comprises pastors, sheikhs and imams from the region.

Lamu Governor Issa Abdalla Timamy said the group was well-timed. Addressing the public at Mkunguni Square, Mr Timamy urged residents to support the religious leaders. “Let us avoid speculation but instead join hands in moving this county forward,” he said.

In Mombasa County, security chiefs have reassured residents of their safety and dismissed claims that leaflets were being circulated in some areas.
County Commissioner Nelson Marwa told the Daily Nation that there was no cause for alarm and that police were monitoring the region for 24 hours daily. “The issue is contained and people should not panic.”

He said a person had been arrested and was helping investigations on the matter.

General Service Unit officers were ready to protect lives and property in the region day and night, he added.

The county chief urged media to help reduce tension through objective reporting.

Kisauni Deputy County Commissioner Tom Anjere urged residents to report any unusual happening to police. He said they would not take any chances.

Reported by Galgalo Bocha, Kalume Kazungu and Wachira Mwangi