Teachers protest against murder of their colleague

Teachers in Suba North Sub County demonstrate in Mbita town to protest against the murder of their colleague Benard Aringo. The Kenya National Union Teachers wants the police to arrest suspects. [James Omoro, Standard]

Teachers on Monday marched to protest against the murder of a teacher in Suba North sub-county.

Mr Benard Aringo of Kisui Primary School was killed near Kisui trading centre on October 13.

The tutors, who were led by the secretary of the Kenya National Union Teachers Suba branch, Richard Ng’ongo, marched peacefully through Mbita town and called for the arrest of Mr Aringo's killers.

Dressed in green, the teachers chanted, "Usalama ni haki yetu!" (security is our right).

The demo culminated in the presentation of a petition to the Suba North deputy county commissioner.

Speaking to journalists, Mr Ng’ongo urged security personnel to speed up investigations into the murder.

“The teacher was killed about 10 days ago but nobody has been arrested.

"We are calling on our security officials to arrest the suspects and charge them in court,” said Ng’ongo.

 Security personnel

The union official expressed concern that the security of teachers was deteriorating, citing an incident last month when two teachers were attacked.

The teachers attacked were the Oba Lwanda Primary School deputy head teacher, Moses Odida, and his colleague, John Ayugi.

Ng’ongo said the attacks had instilled fear in teachers.

“Many teachers in Suba region are now worried about their safety, and this fear is deterring them from discharging their roles effectively,” said Ng’ongo.

The official said if insecurity was not addressed, it would jeopardise education.

“The role of teachers is to mould learners, but we cannot do this effectively if we are not safe."