Sossion demands release of teachers held over arson

The Kenya National Union of Teachers Secretary General Wilson Sossion has demanded immediate release and acquittal of teachers held for allegedly inciting students to burn schools.

Sossion said the teachers were being humiliated by the government over crimes they were not part of.

“The government wants to hide its weaknesses through prosecution of the teachers who have not played any role in burning of schools. The government is doing a smear campaign against teachers,” Sossion said.

Speaking to the press in Bomet in the company of Bomet Executive Secretary Malel Langat, Sossion asked teachers not to play watchman role on students at night saying they risk falling victim to arson incidents.

“Teachers are trained to teach only and not to be used to play security role on students. The teachers who have been arrested and charged were trying to play security role and you can now see what has befell them,” he said.

He said it was wrong for schools to force teachers to watch over students in an attempt to thwart arson.

"Schools are currently volatile to student unrest, students have burnt out and are tensed over the change of term dates. The schools should be closed earlier despite the adamancy by the Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i.” he said.

Sossion also asked the government to foot the cost of constructing school structures that have been burnt by students.

The Secretary General said the government should set a side Sh500 million to be used by the more than 100 schools that have been affected by arson incidents.

"Parents should not be left with the burden of constructing the school facilities that have been burnt by students." Sossion said.

He said the arson incidents have been traced to the new regulations by the ministry of education and therefore the ministry should carry the burden of helping rebuild the schools infrastructure.

He also took issue with the committee set up to investigate the fire incidents in secondary schools saying the committee comprising members from ministries of interior and education were not independent.

"This committee cannot be trusted to give a report that can be relied on to stop the fires and help the sector move forward," Sossion said.

Sossion said the government should reconstitute the committee and involve members from all stakeholders so as to come with a comprehensive report that can be trusted.

"The committee should be reconstituted as a matter of urgency before they can do anything for the sake of the sector and ensure that the sector is salvaged," he said.

Malel reiterated the remarks by Sossion and asked teachers in the county to be ready to close school early.

"Our teachers and principals should be ready to close school earlier so that we avert further tension in schools and allow students to relax and prepare for third term," Malel said.

The unionist said the education minister should be ready to take advice from other stakeholders.

"Matiangi should listen to everyone and avoid burying his head in the sand or else he will carry the blame in case of the unrest spilling to third term," Sossion said.