Pupils of Goseta primary of Kwanza Constituency in the school library with some of the shelves empty after the thefts of text books. [PHOTO | Leonard Wamalwa.

Following the continued theft of text books in schools in Trans Nzoia County, stakeholders in Trans Nzoia West District have put in place measures to curb the vice.

Speaking to journalists in his office, Trans-Nzoia West District Education Officer Enock Okwemba, said that a lasting solution is being sought so that the same incidences cannot be reported in future thus his office has formed a committee to investigate the cases and give recommendations to address the matter.

The committee comprises people from the district security team, officers from the ministry of education, teachers' union officials including parents.

The DEO cited a most recent incident whereby books worth 120,000 were stolen at St. Columbans primary school of Kitale town, Trans-Nzoia County bringing to third the number of school theft cases after the one that took place in Kwanza and Saboti areas.

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Bishops in the county led by their secretary Reverend Bernard Wanjala have condemned the incidences saying they suspect that some teachers are taking part in the activity by assisting the thieves by giving them necessary information thus being able to succeed in their mission. They want the police to investigate the matter and culprits to face the law.

They claimed that some schools are sending away pupils to pay Sh 800 each to cater for new teachers yet the government has released the funds for Free Primary Education. They now want the government to audit the Free Primary Education Funds so that transparency and accountability can be ascertained and students are able to concentrate on their studies instead of being sent home.