Non-local teachers working in West Pokot County have raised concerns over attacks, threats and harassment by both learners and their parents.
The teachers say that they are living in fear after a section of their colleagues were attacked and seriously beaten up after learners from various learning institutions in the County went on rampage.
Last month, Safina Boys Secondary School Principal, Paul Boiyo Chemabus, was beaten up by students at night when they demonstrated accusing him for not “assisting” last year’s candidates excel in exams, asking him to make same arrangements this year.
The boys, from the school in Sook area, broke into the Principal’s house within the church compound and frog marched him to the school. They assaulted and left him with multiple injuries on the head, broke his finger and bruises all over the body.
Karenger Secondary School Principal, Simon Mutambo was also attacked two weeks ago while Chepkonisyo Boys Principal, John Cheruo was threatened by learners who demonstrated over alleged poor management.
Kamotin Primary School head teacher, Benjamin Bii was also beaten up in February by parents who stormed the school demanding for his transfer and accusing him of misuse of power and bad leadership.
According to the teachers who sought anonymity, the local teachers and parents are inciting learners to attack teachers from other counties.
“We feel that our lives are now in danger because what we are seeing and hearing is not good,” said the teacher.
West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin, who faulted those against non-local teachers, said that teachers have a right to work in any place within the republic.
“I was a teacher for many years and anyone has a right to teach anywhere. We need teachers from all over Kenya. The constitution is clear that anybody should stay and work anywhere in Kenya. Those looking in the profession of teachers on tribal lines are primitive and backward,” he said.
Mr Kachapin who spoke to the press in Kapenguria on Wednesday called on non-local teachers to stay put and not to worry.
He faulted teachers from the County who had been delocalized to other Counties in the North Rift region asking them to accept the transfers.
“Trans-Nzoia here is home. Our people should go slow and learn to work in different areas. I recently met a young Pokot man in Mombasa who owns a car wash. That is what we want. Our people need exposure,” noted Kachapin.
West Pokot Teachers Service commission [TSC] Director Bernard Kimachasi confirmed that there were cases of non-local teachers’ mistreatment being reported.
“It is unfortunate. We don’t want the local community to interfere with institutions or treat teachers like locals or non-locals because they are teachers and offer teaching services only. They come and go. There is no difference whether or not they are taught by a white man or Kenyan,” he said.
He said the disturbances have been there in schools headed by locals and non-local teachers and that they will take steps and help those affected.
“Teachers have no security and we believe the community will appreciate and protect them because they help them. We have an excess of 160 ordinary and 30 head teachers who have been rerouted back home after they went for delocalization,” he revealed.
West Pokot County Kenya National Union of Teachers [KNUT] Secretary Martin Sembelo said that no one wants to chase non-local teachers.
“Those who want to go back home are free and those locals who want to come back should do so,” he said.
By Kipilat Kapusia
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