Mandongoi Primary and Junior Secondary School in Mwingi, Kitui county has been left deserted after students failed to show following a banditry attack in the area on Friday September 6.
The situation was so dire that only seven students of the total 527 registered were present when journalists from various media houses visited the school on Tuesday September 10.
Mr Joel Mundu, who is the head teacher at the school, told the journalists that the situation had been deteriorating day by day with 20 students having attended lessons the previous day.
“You can imagine that we have a population of 527 pupils and only seven of them came to school today. Again only four teachers came to school today because they too fear for their lives,” said Maundu.
Mandongoi Primary School pupils in a dilapidated classroom in 2021. Photo/X
However, the teachers who had resorted to not going to the premises have been urged by the county director of Kitui to remain around in case the students come back.
The situation follows last Friday’s raid by herders from the north eastern region at Kiseuni village during which a young boy’s arm was shattered by a bullet.
Most of the residents, including school going children, have fled the area in fear of their lives as cattle raiders continue to terrorise the county that borders the North Eastern region.
Mr Maundu raised concerns over the upcoming KPSEA exams noting that the school has often reported poor results in KCPE due to issues over banditry attacks over previous years.
He urged the government to fast track plans to restore security so that the residents who have fleed the area with their children can come back and their children can return to school.
A board member present at the school Mr Jeremiah Nyayo on his part raised concerns on various social issues including; teenage pregnancies and immorality problems that often face during these displacements.
A county security team led by Kitui County commissioner Kipchumba Rutto was also at the premises to assess the situation and assured locals of their security.
“I urge the police to ensure sufficient security so that pupils can return to school and continue learning. It is unacceptable for learners to be out of school,” Rutto told a security meeting at Mandongoi trading centre.
Kitui County Commissioner Kipchumba Rutto at a previous meeting in July, 2024.Photo/X
