- Geoffrey Bett has condemned rising violence and intimidation against teachers, citing an attack on headteacher Frankline Langat at Kapsimbiri.
- Bett has also flagged a student attack on a teacher at Kalyet Senior and a transferred headteacher denied access to his new station in Kapkesosio Zone, Chepalungu.
- Parents and the public have been urged to use established TSC procedures for grievances, warning against confrontation and calling for teachers to have a safe working environment.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Bomet Branch has condemned a growing number of cases involving violence, intimidation and harassment of teachers in the county.
KNUT Bomet Branch Assistant Executive Secretary Geoffrey Bett, popularly known as “Teachers OCS,” said teachers were increasingly being subjected to threats and physical attacks while carrying out their duties, warning that such incidents could undermine the provision of education.
Bett cited an incident at Kapsimbiri on Friday in which a head of institution, identified as Frankline Langat, was allegedly attacked and injured by a group of parents. He said police were called in through the Bomet East OCPD after the situation became hostile, with officers using teargas to disperse the group.
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Bett also raised concern over an incident at Kalyet Senior in Bomet East, where a teacher was allegedly attacked by a student. In another case, he said a transferred headteacher in Kapkesosio Zone, Chepalungu, was allegedly denied access to the school after reporting to take up the new station.
The union official urged parents, learners and members of the public to respect the mandate of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and use established procedures to address grievances involving teacher transfers, discipline and other administrative matters. He warned against resorting to confrontation, saying disputes involving teachers should be handled through the relevant education and administrative authorities.
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Bett also urged teachers to remain vigilant and promptly report threats or incidents of violence to the relevant authorities, saying teachers needed a safe and secure working environment to effectively serve learners and contribute to the development of the country.
By Jeff Kirui
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