By Roy Hezron
Teachers serving in six ‘disturbed and dangerous’ counties where the government has deployed a security operation have been urged to vacate the areas if their security is compromised in the ongoing operation.
The National Secretary of Kenya Teachers’ in Hardship and Arid Areas Welfare Association (KTHAAWA) Wangonya Wangenye told Education News during a recent interview that the government listed 23 personnel whose services are considered essential in the areas affected by a 30-day dusk-to-dawn curfew but exempted teachers.
“Kenya Teachers in Hardship and Arid Areas Welfare Association takes notice that all the said areas are hardship zones and there are teachers who work there under extremely very hard conditions,” said Wangenye.
He added: “As an association we therefore urge these teachers who are our members to individually assess their personal security and if anyone feels insecure they should just give notification to the nearby TSC (Teachers Service Commission) office and not to report to work if they feel their life is in danger.”
Wangenye stated that a total of 8,437 teachers both in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE), primary and secondary schools have been affected by this operation in the said counties.
They include 1,206 teachers in Turkana county including the areas of Turkana East and South and Loima Sub-counties; 2, 577 teachers in Elgeyo Marakwet in Marakwet East and West Sub-counties and 1,331 teachers in Baringo in Tiaty, Muchungoi and Bartabwa Sub-counties.
A total of 1,504 teachers in West Pokot in Pokot North and Sigor Sub-counties; 791 teachers in Samburu in Loroki and Kirisia Sub-counties; and 1,206 teachers in Laikipia in Laikipia West Sub-counties in Olmoran and Ng’arua division and Laikipia North Mukogondo division.
The Government through a Gazette Notice by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, dated February 13 declared 6 Counties as disturbed and dangerous and consequently declared a 30-day Curfew from dusk to dawn in parts of Turkana, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, West Pokot, Samburu and Laikipia counties.
As a result of the declaration, there will be no public gatherings, processions or movement, either alone or as a group during the period of the curfew unless permitted in writing by the Inspector-General of Police.
Kindiki, however, said the curfew will not apply to the services, personnel or certain workers including health workers, lawyers, national security officers, public health and sanitation officers, licensed pharmaceuticals companies, pharmacies and drug stores and licensed broadcasters and media houses among others.
