Bungoma Kuppet official arrested over harassment claims

BUNGOMA: Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) Bungoma County Executive Secretary Augustine Luketelo was Thursday arrested for allegedly threatening teachers found in classes.

Mr Luketelo was arrested following claims that union officials had harassed and threatened teachers who were found teaching during the ongoing strike at Namawanga, Lugulu and St Cecilia Misikhu secondary schools.

By the time of going to Press last evening, Luketelo was still being held at Webuye police station. He is set to appear in court this morning.

Bungoma County Commissioner Mohamed Maalim who visited the three affected schools warned the union officials against interfering with teachers carrying on with teaching.

“Why did the union officials target girls schools and interrupted the teaching sessions? The girls we talked to were very scared after the union leaders visited the schools at night,” said Mr Maalim.

NOT IN SOLIDARITY

As Luketelo was arrested, the newly-acquired county Kuppet bus was impounded after the two teachers alleged to have been threatened and harassed at St Cecilia  Misikhu Girls reported the matter to police.

“We don’t want the union officials to interfere with learning in our institutions. Let those willing to teach go on as others demand for the salary increment. The unionists found threatening and harassing teachers who are not in solidarity with them will be arrested and be prosecuted,” he said.

Minutes after the commissioner had finished addressing the Press, Luketelo called The Standard and confirmed his arrest.

Efforts to get the commissioner confirm the arrests bore no fruits as he declined to comment.

The teachers strike has entered its fifth day. The tutors are demanding a salary increment in addition to an increase in allowances.