Teachers’ unions in Samburu have given the government seven days to act over the killing of a Junior Secondary School (JSS) teacher, warning that they could withdraw their services across the county.
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) and the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) said they would also hold demonstrations if their demands are not addressed.
The unions issued the notice on Tuesday, August 25, following the death of Mark Dancun Lemaramba, a JSS teacher in Samburu East.
Lemaramba was allegedly killed by unknown people who are yet to be arrested.
In a statement, the two unions condemned the killing and called on security agencies to move quickly and find those responsible.
“KUPPET and KNUT Samburu County Branch expresses deep condemnation following the killing of a JSS teacher by the name Mark Dancun Lemaramba of Samburu East,” the unions said.
The teachers want the Ministry of Interior, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the police to investigate the killing and arrest those involved.
They also want those arrested to be taken through the courts and face the full force of the law.
“We demand that the Ministry of Interior, the DCI, and the police crack down, arrest and bring all perpetrators to book without delay,” the unions said.
Apart from the investigation, the unions are demanding better security for teachers, schools and residential areas where teachers live.
They said teachers should be able to report to work without worrying about their safety.
“We urge the government to guarantee security to teachers and to all areas affected by security in Samburu County,” they said.
The unions warned that failure to address the security concerns could force them to withdraw teachers from areas they consider to be high-risk.
They also plan to hold protests and petitions at the county headquarters as they push the government to act.
“The union will be forced to immediately withdraw all teachers in high-risk areas in the county until security is withdrawn,” they said.
The notice comes a day after schools reopened for the third term, meaning a strike could affect learning in schools across Samburu if the standoff is not resolved.
The unions have now given the government seven days to respond to their demands before they take further action.
