A teacher attached to Butere Girls High School in Kakamega County has resurfaced after disappearing for more than five days, triggering confusion, panic and mourning among his family, colleagues, parents and the local community.
Dickson Muganda, a Biology and Chemistry teacher, had been reported missing after he allegedly disappeared without informing his family or workplace.
During his absence, reports circulated on social media claiming that his body had been retrieved from River Salasa near his home.
The reports spread rapidly through WhatsApp groups and other social media platforms, prompting colleagues and members of the public to send condolence messages to the family and the Butere Girls fraternity. It was also reported that the body had been moved to Kakamega Funeral Parlour.
However, the reports later turned out to be false after the teacher’s family established that the body recovered from the river belonged to someone else.
The family said the earlier announcement had resulted from mistaken identity.
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A message later shared by the school’s principal confirmed that the body retrieved from the river was not that of the Butere Girls teacher and that Muganda had resurfaced alive and was in good health.
According to information shared with parents, the teacher returned home and apologised for failing to communicate with his family and the school during the period he was missing.
Despite the relief that he was found alive, the incident has generated heated reactions from parents and members of the public.
Many questioned why the teacher disappeared without notifying anyone, saying the incident subjected his family, colleagues and the school community to unnecessary emotional distress.
Some parents have called for disciplinary action, arguing that teachers are role models and should uphold responsibility and accountability.
Others urged authorities to establish what led to his disappearance before any action is taken.
The incident also highlighted the dangers of sharing unverified information on social media, as premature reports of Muganda’s death spread widely before the facts were confirmed.
As of now, neither the school nor education authorities have publicly indicated whether disciplinary proceedings will be initiated against the teacher.
The circumstances surrounding his disappearance also remain unclear.
By Andrew Kakhame
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