Mukutani, Baringo County – Pupils of Loramoru Primary School continue to study under harsh and deplorable conditions as a deepening standoff between the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and the local community stalls efforts to rebuild the school.
The dispute stems from the gazettement of Mukutani Forest, with KFS insisting that the school sits inside protected forest land, while parents and residents strongly resist relocation plans.
KFS Position
Baringo County Forest Conservator Ann Nyaoke has maintained that Loramoru Primary lies within a protected forest area and therefore cannot be reconstructed at its current site.
She explained that, through the Director of Education, the government has already secured an alternative parcel of land outside the forest boundary. Construction of a new facility is expected to begin immediately to provide learners with a safe and legal environment.
Community Resistance
Parents and residents have rejected the relocation, arguing that the proposed site is 10 kilometres away from their homes. They warn that such a distance is too far for young learners to walk daily, exposing them to danger and potentially forcing many out of school.
Headteacher Joseph Kiprop echoed these concerns, warning that the long trek could discourage attendance and negatively affect academic performance.
“Forcing learners to trek long distances could deal a severe blow to children already striving to rebuild their education after years of disruption,” Kiprop said.
School chairman Moses Cheliteba added that the community is united in its demand for a closer, more accessible school. Parents have vowed to keep their children learning under trees within the community until authorities address their concerns.
Rising Tensions
The dispute escalated on February 2, when confrontations erupted between residents and authorities. Police fired shots into the air to disperse crowds hurling stones at trucks transporting building materials to the disputed site. KFS vehicles later blocked the route, preventing access and intensifying the standoff.
The incident triggered anxiety among Mukutani residents, many of whom still carry painful memories of past ethnic conflicts that led to displacement and loss of life. Community members fear the confrontation could reopen old wounds in a region that has only recently begun to experience relative peace.
Troubled History
Loramoru Primary has endured a long and troubled past. The school remained closed for more than 13 years after residents fled due to insecurity. In 2016, the land was gazetted as forest, complicating future development. Following the gradual restoration of peace, families returned, reopening the school in 2024.
Now, the renewed dispute threatens to undo fragile progress and disrupt the education of children who have already endured years of instability.
Conclusion
As the standoff continues, Loramoru pupils remain caught in the middle learning under trees, facing uncertainty about their future, and hoping for a lasting solution that balances environmental protection with the urgent need for accessible education.
