Government and Policy

Matiang’i Orders Immediate Arrest Of Tot High School Principal

BY Getrude Mathayo · February 18, 2022 01:02 pm

KEY POINTS

The attack we had on the school bus ought not to have happened in the first place. That school was in violation of the government policy of moving children beyond 1800hrs. The attack took place at 2200hrs.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Matiang'i stated that the government had put in place regulations that prohibit the use of school buses past 1830hrs.

Interior Cabinet Secretary, Fred Matiang’i, has ordered the immediate arrest of the principal of Tot Secondary School after the learning institution’s bus was sprayed with bullets by bandits.

According to CS Fred Matiang’i, Tot Mixed Day Secondary School principal was negligent by allowing the school bus to operate past 6:30 pm on Thursday. A driver, two teachers, and 13 students were attacked on the Arror-Mogil Road at Kerio Valley, Elgeyo Marakwet County at 10:30 pm on Thursday, February 17.

Speaking during an education stakeholders’ event in Nairobi on Friday, February 18, Matiang’i blamed the school administrator for flaunting regulations put in place by the government regarding the use of school buses.

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Matiang’i stated that the government had put in place regulations that prohibit the use of school buses past 1830hrs.

“The attack we had on the school bus ought not to have happened in the first place. That school was in violation of the government policy of moving children beyond 1800hrs. The attack took place at 2200hrs.

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“I have spoken to Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai this morning and we are in agreement that we will arrest that principal and have him prosecuted for violation of public policy,” Matiang’i stated.

The victims were returning from a school trip, Elgeyo Marakwet County Police Commander Patrick Lumumba said. The injured were taken to the Kapsowar Mission Hospital for treatment

The CS further warned other school heads against violating the 6:30 pm school buses policy, saying should there be a violation of the rule, the principals and head-teachers would be arrested and prosecuted.

Education CS George Magoha, who was present at the Kenya School of Government, asked school heads to direct school buses to nearby police stations should 6:30 pm find learners in transit.

Interior ministry chief, Matiang’i, stated that next week, he will recommend to the National Security Council that Pokot Warriors be declared an outlawed group.

“The recommended categorization will allow for more forceful interventions against the group. The [Tot] incident is a clear case of criminal aggression masqueraded as cattle rustling and cultural practice,” he said.