Wamuzi News Ke
Teachers under the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education (KUPPET) in West Pokot have threatened to go on strike if authorities do not release three teachers who were recently arrested in the Chesegon area by a multi-agency security team.
This warning comes as security forces have suspended peace committee meetings and called on criminals in the Kerio Valley to surrender their weapons following a surge in deadly attacks.
According to KUPPET, the three teachers were apprehended by Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) officers while entering school premises. The missing teachers, who were stationed at Arpollo Mixed Day and Boarding Primary School and Cheptulel Girls, have not been seen since their arrest.
“These teachers were taken at the school gate with nothing but chalk and pens. It is shocking that just last month, the president ordered the hiring of 100 teachers to help reopen schools in border regions. These very teachers were deployed only two weeks ago,” said Danson LKomeiyan, KUPPET Treasurer for West Pokot.
He criticized the security forces, saying, “Instead of supporting the president’s initiative to ensure schools remain open in insecure areas, KDF is arresting the very teachers needed to achieve this goal.”
KUPPET has now called on all teachers to assemble at their offices for further instructions. “We are directing all teachers in West Pokot to withdraw from their schools and report to KUPPET offices immediately. This action will not only affect Cheptulel Girls but also Cheptulel Boys and other schools facing security threats in the county,” declared Joel Fogokor, KUPPET Chairperson for West Pokot.
The region has been on edge as violence in the Kerio Valley escalates. On Saturday, Deputy Inspector General of Police Elud Lagat announced a fresh security operation following nearly 10 deaths in recent weeks.
Among those killed were eight individuals, including two primary school community members, who lost their lives in recent bandit attacks in Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet counties.
President William Ruto had previously promised to take a tough stance on banditry during a 2023 operation in the region.
“We will wipe out banditry without hesitation. Every criminal involved will be neutralized,” he vowed.
He further warned that all illegal firearms must be surrendered voluntarily or by force and insisted that all children must return to school.
Despite these efforts, the same security concerns have resurfaced, raising fears of prolonged instability in the region.
