KUPPET Teachers Threaten Strike After Military Arrests.
Teachers under the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education (KUPPET) in West Pokot have vowed to down their tools unless three teachers, who were apprehended in Chesegon by a multi-agency security team, are released.
The educators were allegedly detained by Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) officers at the entrance of their respective schools—Arpollo Mixed Day and Boarding Primary School and Cheptulel Girls—and have not been seen since.
Meanwhile, security agencies have put peace committee meetings on hold and directed criminals in the Kerio Valley to surrender their weapons following a renewed wave of violence.
The ongoing tensions have prompted authorities to intensify operations after nearly 10 people, including two primary school pupils, were killed in recent banditry-related attacks in Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet counties.
KUPPET Treasurer for West Pokot, Danson Lkomeiyan, expressed disbelief over the arrests, questioning why teachers—who were armed only with chalk and pens—were being targeted.
He pointed out that President William Ruto had only recently instructed the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to hire 100 teachers to reopen schools in border areas, yet KDF was now arresting the same educators.
He further argued that instead of supporting the president’s efforts to ensure the availability of teachers in insecure regions, KDF was undermining these efforts by detaining them.
Call for Teachers to Withdraw Services
In response, KUPPET has urged all its members to report to their offices for further directives. West Pokot KUPPET Chairperson Joel Fogokor stated that teachers in Cheptulel Girls, Cheptulel Boys, and other schools in high-risk areas should withdraw their services immediately until the issue is resolved.
As the crisis deepens, Deputy Inspector General of Police Elud Lagat confirmed that a new security operation had been launched in the region.
The ongoing unrest echoes the situation in 2023 when the government conducted a similar operation. At the time, President Ruto had pledged a ruthless approach against banditry, warning that every bandit would face consequences.
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The president had also emphasized that illegal firearms must either be surrendered voluntarily or confiscated by force, insisting that all children must return to school.
However, despite these assurances, the problem has resurfaced two years later, raising concerns over the effectiveness of government interventions.
KUPPET Teachers Threaten Strike After Military Arrests.
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