By Wasike Elvis
Teacher union officials in the North Rift region have vowed to go on strike if the government will not beef up security in Kerio valley.
Officials from the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Teachers (KUPPET) say they will paralyze learning in the volatile Kerio valley.
“We will mobilize our members to shut down schools if the government will not have addressed the situation by May. The insecurity in Kerio valley has put our members’ lives at risk. If the government cannot provide security by next term, we shall have a major demonstration in Tot and close all schools to avoid killings of children and teachers,” said Kipchunba Arusei, KNUT Secretary Rift Valley region, adding that the government should give permananet solutions rather than treating the symptoms.
Kerio Valley has been hit by a wave of insecurity as bandits terrorize locals.
“It’s very sad that we have a government that has instruments of power to end the killings but it has done nothing,” he lamented.
“Let the children do exams but if the situation will not have been sorted and security addressed, we will close down those schools because we’re concerned about our children, teachers and locals. We want the government to enhance security before our children sit for the exams,” said
Chepkoilel Branch KNUT Executive Secretary Sammy Bor said the lives of children, teachers and locals were at risk, and should the government take no action, the national exams should be cancelled.
“What is so difficult to calm the situation in Kerio valley? The government has failed in its duty to protect lives and property,” he said.
John Cheberi, Marakwet KNUT branch executive, gave an ultimatum to government to beef up security, failure to which they will mobilize the closure of schools in the volatile region.
“The government should use police to beef up security as our children will be sitting for their exams. The government should also give students lunch to avoid them moving from one place from another,” Biwot Paul, KUPPET Elgeyo Marakwet secretary, said.
KUPPET Executive Secretary Uasin Gishu County Elijah Maiyo called for an affirmative action by KNEC as children had been home for a long time due to insecurity.
“We are calling upon KNEC to at least have an affirmative action so that students from the affected areas are given special treatment while marking their national exams since they have not been in class,” he said.
