Teacher unions in Trans Nzoia County have defended a teacher at Forest Primary Comprehensive School accused of assaulting a guardian, demanding a fair hearing and warning against growing hostility towards educators.
The incident reportedly occurred after the guardian visited the school to plead for her brother, who had allegedly been sent home over unpaid lunch fees. A video circulating on social media shows a visibly distressed woman identified as Makena complaining about her injuries, claiming she had been kicked and was bleeding. "I will take off my pants. I am bleeding. Dad, see what they have done to me. They have just kicked me. I am bleeding. My innerwear is bleeding. Let me show you," she says in the video.
The Trans Nzoia branches of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) called for an objective investigation, insisting that teachers should be protected from intimidation and abuse while carrying out their duties.
KNUT Trans Nzoia Executive Secretary George Wanjala claimed the guardian had caused a commotion at the school before the incident and alleged that the school's headteacher had also been assaulted. Wanjala questioned why the guardian had allegedly taken matters into her own hands instead of following established procedures to address her grievances. "It's unfair that the guardian took matters into her own hands," he said, insisting that the circumstances surrounding the incident should be examined objectively before conclusions are drawn.
KUPPET Trans Nzoia Executive Secretary Dan Kutai said the union would not remain silent when teachers faced abuse, warning that continued hostility could undermine the learning environment.
"We are here to protect teachers who are being abused. Teachers have suffered in silence for a long time, and this must come to an end," Kutai said.
He cautioned members of the public against using confrontations involving teachers to generate social media content at the expense of their dignity and professional standing. "Schools are institutions of learning. Teachers cannot be expected to discharge their duties in an environment where they are subjected to intimidation and abuse," he said, urging parents, guardians and education stakeholders to respect teachers and resolve disputes through established procedures rather than confrontations.
KUPPET chairman Paul Weyama called for the teacher accused of assault to be accorded a fair hearing, stressing that the allegations should be investigated impartially. "The teacher should be given a fair hearing. Let us protect our schools and ensure that teachers can perform their duties without fear," Weyama said. KNUT chairman Wilberforce Wamalwa also urged parents and guardians to follow due process when seeking assistance from schools. "Schools have regulations that need to be followed by anyone who wants assistance. Let's respect our teachers," Wamalwa said.
Meanwhile, the school's Board of Management vice-chairman, Asphenus Makori, said parents were required to pay for lunch, defending the school's policy on the provision of meals. Education stakeholder Caro Murei called on investigative agencies to establish what happened, warning against victimising either party based solely on claims circulating on social media. "I advise the community to get both sides of the story before jumping to conclusions on any matter on social media," Murei said.
The unions warned that continued attacks and harassment of teachers could force them to consider withdrawing their services if the situation persisted, urging parents and guardians to channel complaints through school administrations and relevant education authorities.
Reader Discussion (0)
Sign in to comment