Ruto Announces KDF Deployment In This Area

President William Ruto has announced that the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers will be deployed to Chesegon, West Pokot County. 

Speaking on Monday, April 8 during the Commissioning of Cemtech Limited Clinker Plant in West Pokot County, Ruto said the officers will be in the area by Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

The Head of State noted that the KDF officers would rebuild schools in the area and ensure students are safe when schools reopen for the second term. 

"In the next two days, the military will be in Chesogon, and they will come there to ensure that those schools are built, and when the schools open next term, the children from those schools report. We will also have security to ensure that our children are studying safely,” said Ruto.

The President pointed out that it was a shame for children in West Pokot not to go to school because the County is entangled in banditry.

"It cannot be the case in the 21st century in Kenya, a democratic country, that there are children who don't go to school because a few criminals are stealing cattle,” Ruto stated.

He further urged the locals to take their children to school saying the government will employ twenty thousand more teachers this year.

This is the second time, Ruto has ordered the deployment of KDF officers to the North Rift region.

In February 2023, Ruto directed a joint KDF and National Police Service (NPS) operation to deal with bandits in the region and ensure peace.