Teachers in North Eastern Demand Firearms, Paramilitary Training for Self-Protection
Teachers based in North Eastern Kenya are seeking to undergo paramilitary training, similar to that of the National Youth Service and Recce Squad, without altering the original text’s length. These teachers, as reported in Isiolo, emphasized that training them in close combat, weapon proficiency, and other tactical skills would enable them to effectively address the pervasive insecurity in their region.
During the annual general meeting of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) held in Isiolo, the teachers raised these new requests.
Gilbert Wafula, the chairperson of KUPPET’s Isiolo branch, argued that the police had failed to provide sufficient security, despite continuous complaints from teachers and unfortunate incidents that led to the loss of their colleagues’ lives. Additionally, the police were accused of prioritizing their own safety during attacks.
ALSO READ: PSC Gives All Govt Employees 2 Months to Declare their Wealth
Wafula stated, “It is true that we have some areas in Isiolo that are susceptible to insecurity, including Oldonyiro, Merti, Sericho, and Garbatula. We are urging the government to support teachers by providing them with firearms to ensure their safety while performing their duties.
“We are steadfast in our demand that the government must supply firearms to teachers to enhance their security.” Other KUPPET officials in Isiolo echoed Wafula’s sentiments.
Some officials also called for training by the special forces, specifically the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF). However, they did not clarify whether they had presented their petition to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), the Ministry of Interior, or Parliament.
The teachers did not provide details on how they would integrate this training into their curriculum. Nevertheless, they argued that enabling teachers to protect themselves would serve as an incentive for them to work in North Eastern regions.
ALSO READ: Primary School that Begun in 1993 Shuts Down Ahead of KCPE Exams, Terms Tough Economy
In September 2023, hundreds of teachers in north-eastern Kenya opposed being assigned to insecure areas. They staged a protest outside the TSC headquarters in Nairobi, demanding relocation to more secure regions.
The teachers conveyed a shared sentiment, stressing their primary demand for transfers.
They underscored their unwillingness to depend continually on military escorts, citing the ongoing presence of armed forces behind their buses, which exposed them to potential risks.
One teacher vocalized this concern, while others strongly committed to never going back to their designated duty stations.
In response to the teacher crisis in the North Eastern region, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki urged TSC to provide non-local teachers with short-term contracts when posting them to these areas.
During his appearance before the National Assembly Education Committee on August 2, Kindiki acknowledged the escalating insecurity in the region but asserted that his ministry was actively working on an operation to restore normalcy.
ALSO READ: KNEC Dismisses Claims of 60% Question Repetition in National Exams
Teachers in North Eastern Demand Firearms, Paramilitary Training for Self-Protection
