Sossion demands for transfer of teachers, students from Garissa

Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has issued an ultimatum to Education Cabinet Secretary Prof Jacob Kaimenyi to order for immediate transfer of teachers and students from areas deemed insecure until their security is guaranteed.

In a letter addressed to the CS, KNUT Secretary General Wilson Sossion said that the whole country is aware of the fluid insecurity situation in Northern Kenya especially after the attack on Garissa University and called for all students to be relocated to other universities and colleges across the country where they can successfully complete their studies.

Sossion added that teachers and students are currently weighing their own security situations and making informed choices on matters touching on their personal safety while the Union forwards to the TSC all transfer forms filled by teachers who wish to be transferred to safer areas.

In April, Sossion called on the teachers working in the Northern part of Kenya to ensure that their jobs do not compromise their right to life as guaranteed by the Constitution of Kenya.

KNUT’S strongly worded letter came hot in the heels of another letter by the Teachers Service Commission( TSC) targeted at teachers who are alleged to have been inciting students not to report back to college and resume learning  for disciplinary action.

TSC’s letter sought to compel the teachers to appear before the College Board of Management on 06/06/15 for grilling and subsequent disciplinary action over claims of talking to some students, making voice calls and spreading messages that were predicting an imaginary terror attack in the area.

According to TSC, the move caused fear, panic and delved the college into a situation of uncertainty and delayed its opening.

TSC added that this was an act of sabotage and a complete contradiction of the government’s effort to restore order and confidence in the institutions of higher learning in the aftermath of the Garissa university terror attack.

Session requested an indefinite postponement of any disciplinary action against the said teachers.