Panic as teacher’s jacket catches fire in pay row protests

By BRYAN TUMWA

Business was brought to a standstill in Mumias town when teachers and pupils took to the streets to vent their anger at the move by government to frustrate their efforts for better pay.

Led by the area Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Executive Secretary and member of the national executive council John Wesonga, they marched through the streets in protest.

During a brief stop along the Mumias-Kakamega Highway, one of the teachers in the procession caught fire while trying to burn an effigy of Labour Cabinet Secretary Kazungu Kambi.

It all started when the teacher produced a can of petrol and doused the effigy.

After setting it ablaze, he produced a whip concealed in his jacket and started flogging it, with his colleagues taking the cue.

However, the petrol splashed everywhere while still ablaze and landed on his back.

His jacket quickly caught fire and the flame towered above his head in a ferocious glow.

It did not help matters when he started running around as those he approached darted away to safety.

In a panicky turn of events, other teachers rushed after him in a rescue bid, trying to get rid of his jacket.