Teachers unions the in North Rift region have called upon the national government to restore security in the volatile Kerio Valley.
Officials from the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) say improved security in the region will provide a conducive environment for teachers, learners, and parents.
Speaking to the press in Eldoret town, the union officials led by KNUT Secretary Chepkoilel branch Sammy Bor said the security in the region has been rampant and that there is a need for the government to look into it.
They have also threatened that they will take action should the government fail to address increasing bandit attacks in the Kerio Valley.
“Coming next term, if the situation will still be the same, we will mobilize teachers not to go to school,” Bor said.
“We want the government to take the matter of security seriously or else we will call upon the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to withdraw all teachers from Kerio Valley due to insecurity,” added Kuppet Uasin Gishu Executive Secretary Elijah Maiyo.
Maiyo also asked the Ministry of Education to consider giving special examinations to candidates from schools in Kerio Valley affected by the insecurity.
The teachers’ union officials also called on the national government to redeploy the National Police Reservists (NPRs).
“If the government will not be able to restore security, let it return the NPR because they are familiar with the landscape and have better ability to tackle the bandits,” said Maiyo.
And with national examinations around the corner, KNUT and KUPPET want the government to put in place measures that will ensure primary school candidates and day scholars from secondary schools are provided with lunch – to minimize their movement.