By Roy Hezron
The country’s teacher employer the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has been asked not to victimize any teacher who fails to report for duty in the schools affected by the recent directive from government for people to vacate the disturbed and dangerous areas of Baringo, Laikipia, Samburu, Turkana, West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet Counties.
The Kenya Teachers in Hardship and Arid Areas Welfare Association (KETHAAWA) following the 24 hour ultimatum vacation notice given by the government through the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Prof Kithure Kindiki, has now asked TSC to immediately and without further delay transfer the affected teachers in the said areas to safer grounds.
The Association’s through their National Secretary, Wangonya Wangenye, has further asked the Commission to ensure that the transfers should not in any way affect the teachers’ salaries and allowances either wholly or partially.
Further, the Association wants TSC officers on the ground to consult with the teachers in the affected areas for harmony of the said transfers.
Yesterday March 12, 2023 the Interior CS in his statement ordered people to vacate within 24 hours, effective 0830 hours, from yesterday some part of the banditry prone areas to allow a security operation to take place as from today.
The areas are Korkoron Hills, Tandare Valley and Silale Gorges in Baringo County. Mukogodo Forest; Kamwenje, Warero and Ndonyoriwo; Lekuruki Hills, Losos and Kiape Caves and Sieku Valley in Laikipia County.
Ltungai Conservancy, Longewan, Nasuur, Lochokia and Lekadaar Escarpments; Lolmolok Caves, Pura Valley, Malaso Escarpment and Suguta Valley in Samburu County; and Kapelbok, Nakwamoru, Lebokat, Ombollion, Nadome and Kamur caves in Turkana County; the Turkwell Escarpment at the interface of West Pokot and Turkana Counties.
“Kenya Teachers in Hardship and Arid Areas Welfare Association takes note that all these affected areas are arid and hardship and our teachers work in these regions. The welfare and in particularly the safety of teachers working in these areas is directly affected by this communication and the continued security operations,” said Wangenye.
