Kenya National Union of Teachers asks teachers to flee Kenya-Somalia border schools

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Monday, May 27, 2013

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The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) on Monday asked teachers in schools bordering the volatile Kenya- Somalia border to stay away until the government guarantees them security.

Knut Garissa branch chairman Ibrahim Atosh said the union is concerned for by the al-Shabaab militants incursions that has claimed the lives of teachers.

On Saturday, six people, who included a teacher, were killed during an attack on two police posts by Al Shabaab militants in Damajaley and Abdisugow villages.

Atosh identified the killed teacher as Zacharia Mwangi. He said the frequent attacks had spread fear among the teachers and the union has asked them to flee the border schools as a precaution.

The teachers are playing part in uplifting the education standards in the region but if the government cannot guarantee them security, the teachers should leave, he said.

“As a Union that represents the interests and welfare of teachers, we condemn the attacks and the government inability to provide security,” Atosh said.

He said the teachers are only armed with chalks, pens and knowledge and are vulnerable to al-Shabaab militants.

“As much as we empathise with learners, the lives of the teachers supersede anything else,” he said.

Atosh said at least 6 teachers including senior education officials in North Eastern region since Kenya sent troops to Somalia in 2011.

Meanwhile, Garissa County governor Nadhif Jama has lamented that the frequent insecurity in the county would impact on county's economy and development.

Speaking after chairing a peace forum at a Garissa hotel, Jama also accused the government of lukewarm response to attacks.

“It’s sad that a battalion of heavily armed militia crossed into our country and undetected and did whatever they wanted for over five hours without our security machinery confronting them,” an agitated Jama said.

“While other counties are busy marketing themselves and wooing investors both locally and internationally, Garissa is busy tackling insecurity. No investors would want to invest in an insecure environment," he said.

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