Locals have attacked delocalized teachers in West Pokot County and the teachers have now asked for immediate transfers after hostilities from locals.
The non-local teachers have reported attacks, threats and harassment from both learners and parents.
The teachers are now living in fear after they saw some of their colleagues being attacked and assaulted by learners from various schools in the county.
In February, at Safina Boys Secondary School located in Sook Area Mr Paul Boiyo Chemabus was assaulted by learners at night when they demonstrated, blaming him for not assisting last year’s candidates in the national examinations. They said that the same could be repeated this year.
The boys had broken into the principal’s house within the church compound and frog-matched him to an open area where they assaulted him leaving him with multiple injuries. The principal sustained a broken finger and bruises all over his body.
Just over two weeks ago, students attacked Karenger Secondary School Principal Simon Mutambo while Chepkonisyo Boys Principal John Cheruo was threatened by learners who demonstrated allegations of mismanagement.
There was also a students’ attack on a headteacher at Kamotin Primary School where Benjamin Bii was beaten up last month by parents who stormed the school demanding he is transferred, accusing him of bad leadership and misuse of power.
Teachers who sought anonymity suspected that the attacks are part of a comprehensive scheme by local parents and teachers to attack teachers coming from outside the county, in a bid to secure the positions for West Pokot natives.
“We feel that our lives are now in danger because what we are seeing and hearing is not good,” said Mr Bii.
The Teachers Service Commission through the West Pokot Director Bernard Kimachasi confirmed that the cases of non-local teachers being mistreated were reported.
“It is unfortunate. We do not want the local community to interfere with institutions or treat teachers as locals or non-locals because they are professionals who offer teaching services only. They come and go. There is no difference whether or not the learners are taught by a white man or Kenyan,” he said.
He related the trend to political interference saying that there had been a push to have those who were delocalized to be transferred back home. He said that there were 160 teachers and 30 headteachers who had been rerouted back to their home counties after the abolishment of the delocalization policy which had been a factor in the current tensions.
“They want headship and promotions and other benefits and think that if they can get rid of non-locals, they stand a chance,” he added.
The Governor of West Pokot Simon Kachapin laid the blame on those ganging up on non-local teachers, saying that they have the right to work anywhere across the country.
“I was a teacher for many years, and I have a right to teach anywhere. We need teachers from all over Kenya. The Constitution is clear that people can stay and work anywhere in Kenya. Those looking at the teaching profession with a tribal lens are primitive and backward,” he said.
He implored non-local teachers to feel at home and not to worry.
“We need a peaceful coexistence. This is a good county and anyone is free to work and even buy land and settle here,” said the governor.