Teachers Service Commission cracks whip on sex pests

Julius Mwiti a teacher at Mugae Primary School in Buuri District when he appeared before Principal Magistrate Joseph Karanja at Meru on March 15, 2016. He denied 10 charges of sexually assaulting pupils aged between eight and 11 years at the school. PHOTO PETER MUTHOMI/Standar

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has tightened the noose on teachers who abuse their students sexually.

In a Gazette notice released last week, the teachers' employer said any person who hires de-registered teachers will be jailed.

The Director of Teacher Management, Mary Rotich, gazetted a list of 22 teachers that she said would no longer be allowed to teach in Kenya, unless admitted by TSC.

Their names were removed from the teaching register between May and August last year. They are: William Kipkorisi Mutai, Jairus Maithya, Patrick Kayombia, Peter Nderitu Gakubu, Peter Wenani, Gibson Makini, Joseph Kimeli, Francis Nyamboga, Ayub Barasa, Lamech Bosire Mbeta, Charles Nderitu, Benson John Onyango, Justus Odoyo, Sammy Wilson Ndeta, Naftali Onyango, Wellington Oyaya, Dennis Maluche, Duke Marisa, Lawrence Nkari, Benson Owuor, Moses Kimathi and Enock Simiyu.

Ms Rotich said Regulations 18 (1) (c) and (d) of the TSC code of regulations, read together with Section 45 of the TSC Act, set penalties for persons committing such teachers to service again.

"Anyone who permits or employs in any school a person not being a registered teacher shall be guilty of an offence and eligible to a fine of not less than Sh100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both," said Rotich, adding: "Where the name of a teacher is removed from the register under TSC Act, it shall not be reinstated except by direction of the commission."

The development comes barely months after the commission accused school heads of condoning child abuse in their schools.

TSC Chair Lydia Nzomo last year said they would publish names and photographs of teachers found guilty of sexually harassing children. She said in addition to gazetting the culprits, more radical decisions would be taken to protect students