KNUT and KUPPET Wants TSC to Withdraw Teachers from Zones Prone To Banditry
Teachers’ unions and security officials in Baringo County have collided over forcing teachers to work in the regions prone to banditry amid the ongoing operation.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) demanded on Sunday that TSC withdraws all teachers from areas that are not secure.
“Education is not a matter of life and death and as a union, we are not ready to lose any of our members to the deadly bullets of bandits,” said KNUT Baringo Branch Executive Joshua Cheptarus.
At the moment, the resumption of education has not gone ahead in ten schools which include Embosos, Chemoroing’ion, Arabal, Kapndasum, Chebinyiny, Sossionte, and Kasiela primary schools. Also, Kiserian, Sinoni, and Nyimbei primary and secondary schools in Baringo South sub-county.
Teachers and learners alike are afraid of going to school for learning due to the novel bandit attacks, raiding of livestock, and the ongoing government security operation intending to flash out the infamous armed bandits.
Last Friday, many locals whereby learners were among them, fled for their lives after armed bandits stormed the Chemorong’ion area, in Baringo South at around 5 pm and got away with 74 heads of cattle.
On the 25th of March, a 65-year old man by the name of Gabriel Lekichep was shot to death while a woman, one Jackeline Lekidogo of age 36 was grievously wounded alongside her two and a half-year-old child.
A Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) soldier was shot dead at close range during a firing exchange some meters away from their Mukutani camp causing more fear among residents.
This has been happening despite the region hosting heavily armed security officers including KDF, Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU), General Service Unit (GSU), and even the Kenya Forest Service wardens.
However, Cheptarus announced that they will lobby teachers against teaching in areas in the county that are not safe if their security is not guaranteed.
In his support, KUPPET’s Baring branch chairperson David Kibet and the treasurer Fanuel Kipsoi also implored the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to consider withdrawing teachers as soon as possible from these areas infested with bandits.
“There is nothing to discuss here. If the government cannot intervene to finish the problem of banditry, then we cannot whosoever allow our teachers to work there,” said the treasurer, Mr. Kipsoi.
Baringo County Commissioner Henry Wafula urged teachers to teach without fearing for their lives.
“Because as it is now we are committed as a government to provide security to individual teachers, learners, and our schools in the insecurity-prone areas,” said the Baringo County Commissioner.
Wafula then proceeded to assure locals of their insecurity by saying that there are enough security officers have been deployed to calm the bandits and ensure there is calm in the region.
“Although pursuing bandits is such a tedious exercise, so far we have managed to arrest two seized some 70 guns, and recovered 190 stolen animals,” he added.
Wafula was backed by county police commander Robinson Ndiwa who on his part said that the culprits shall soon be arraigned in court as they await criminal charges.
Baringo South Member of Parliament (MP) Charles Kamuren spoke against the series of attacks happening in his constituency blaming the government for not acting strongly.
“It is shameful that thousands of people are having no peace, thousands of children and their teachers are out of school under the watch of the government,” said the MP.
The MP said the government has failed to protect its people yet it has weapons, taxpayers’ money, and the capacity to protect lives and property.
Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya assured residents that there is hope, saying that everything is under control.
Commissioner Natembeya promised to wage a tough war against the bandits until they are all eliminated.
“This time around we cannot leave any stone unturned,” he said.
Following a peace meeting at Marigat hotel, where Pokot leaders led by Tiaty MP William Kamket and West Pokot Governor Professor John Lonyangapuo urged the government to lift the operation and give 30 days for them to engage locals and help end banditry in the region.
Among those who were present were Governor Stanley Kiptis, Baringo Women representative, and Senator Gideon Moi and Baringo.
Comments are closed.