Thursday May 9, 2019
Schoolgirls attend a
class at Moi Girls Secondary School in Mandera County on February 2,
2015. Local residents are volunteering to fill the gap left by teachers'
refusal to report back to schools in Kenya's north-eastern region after
al-Shabaab attacks. [Bosire Boniface/Sabahi]
Teachers Service Commission on Wednesday transfers a number of non-local teachers from Mandera East, a temporary measure to assure them safety, a week after suspected Al-Shabaab militants raided several villages.
A police reservist was badly injured during Monday incident. Mandera East Deputy County Commissioner Lawrence Omondi said a food store was looted during the attack.
The commission moved the teachers from Libehia and Sarohindi primary schools in Mandera East, to Khalalio, Barwaqo, Buruburu and Mandera township primary schools following recent attacks by Al Shabaab militants.
“We took the move after Hareri Hosle village was attacked last week,” said Mr Yusuf Abdullahi, County TSC boss.
However, the decision seems to have irked area residents, who are now accusing the government of discrimination. According to them, the security of the teachers is guaranteed since a number of them have worked in the region for years.
“The move to withdraw teachers from our schools is uncalled for and it denies our children their right to education,” said Libehia Ward Representative Farah Abdinoor
Last month, suspected Al-Shabaab militants abducted two Cuban doctors working in Mandera County Referral, killing one security officer in the process. The doctors were kidnapped from their residence.
Until now, despite the government deploying elite Rangers Strike Regiment that comprises of Rangers Strike Force and Special Forces, the doctors are yet to be rescued in the neighbouring Somalia.