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By Isabella Maua
The Kenya National Union of Teachers has threatened to transfer all its teachers working within the Chepkitale area of Mt. Elgon.
Speaking during Chemoge Zone Education Day at Kaptalelio on Monday,KNUT Secretary Stephen Chemonges issued a stern warning to the residents who are threatening and killing teachers at Chepkitale.
“Many teachers have been living under threat, and some even lost their lives in the line of duty. We’re going to take into consideration all transfer applications we’ve received if this continues,” cautioned Chemonges.
The KNUT Secretary also called upon the administration to take action and apprehend culprits or risk losing teachers.
“Chepyuk and Chepkitale have become hot spots for our teachers, and we know it’s the youths from the forest; if they aren’t arrested with immediate effect, no more teachers will be deployed there,” reiterated Chemonges.
Also present on the occasion was Kaptama MCA Francis Chemion, who beseeched KNUT not to transfer teachers but rather indulge with the locals to find out the root cause of the raging menace.
It’s prudent to hold a stakeholder meeting at Chepkitale and deeply involve the community to successfully address the safety of teachers in the area,” advised Chemion.
In support of his sentiments, Chepkitale opinion leaders issued a press statement on Wednesday to condemn KNUT’s stand.
“It’s shameful that Chemonges has issued a statement based on mere rumors; in plain terms, he is spreading baseless rumors to publicly sideline Chepkitale residents for his own personal interests,” said Simotwo Cherotwei.
The leaders also challenged Chemonges to bring forward cases reported to the police by the allegedly threatened teachers.
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“Chemonges is hiding something, especially regarding his interests in the region; he’s politicizing everything that touches on Chepkitale residents; he even doesn’t support good teachers from there but sides with the corrupt ones, bemoaned Chris Murunga, one of the youth leaders.
The leaders further called upon the Sub County Director of Education to look into the matter before the education system in the region is completely compromised and totally politicized at the expense of innocently eager learners.
The area MCA Chemion, on the other hand assured residents and teachers that his office will work collaboratively to reach an amicable lasting solution and a win-win situation