Lugari school principal's strange death prompts teacher outrage

KUPPET Members (Teachers) protest in Kakamega town on August 26, 2024. [Benjamin Sakwa/ Standard] Teachers in Kakamega County have threatened to disrupt national examinations following the mysterious death of Munyuki PAG Secondary School principal, Simon Isiaho Shange. Mr Shange's mutilated body was found in River Kipkaren days after he was reported lost. Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Kakamega Chairman Johnston Wabuti said the teachers' union is demanding a full investigation into the death. He warned that they will withdraw all principals from examination centres if the authorities fail to provide a satisfactory explanation. "If there is no step or report to explain what happened, we shall be forced to disrupt the exams in this region. We will withdraw all principals to demonstrate as of Tuesday," said Wabuti. Shange was last seen on Monday, November 3, after an alleged accident along the Eldoret-Malaba Highway, where his vehicle was found abandoned. It was said that the deceased was on his way to collect examination papers from the office of the Lugari sub-county deputy county commissioner. His body was later recovered on Saturday morning, November 8, floating in the River Kipkaren after a five-day search. Wabuti said that it's not the first incident because a deputy teacher was once murdered in the area, and nothing was done to bring the killers to justice. "This one will not go in vain. We want justice, and as of tomorrow we shall go to Lugari and protest," he said. He said that next year we shall ask the principals to request a transfer if the matter is not resolved. "We are not sure about the safety of the deputy nor the teachers in the school because up to now we do not know what transpired until the teacher was killed. Michael Amkoa, the western region education chairman of the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA), said that their colleague died mysteriously, and they are surprised by the developments, and they condemn whoever killed him. "It's very bad that he was killed like an animal. We want teachers to be given security, and even if it's being given a gun as a way of protecting ourselves, it will be better," said Amukowa. Amukowa said that they feel unsafe and have realised that they have a lot of enemies. "We have discovered that teachers have a lot of enemies, and we want the government to give us security. It's high time we get licensed to own a gun," he said. Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) executive Albert Chungani said that they are warning politicians that if they are found guilty, be they a Member of Parliament (MP) or a member of the county assembly (MCA), they will face the law. "I want to warn political leaders that they should not have a hand in the murder. We shall fight for justice for our Western Region principal," he said. They called upon the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, to come out and fast-track the matter. He also said some MPs have been frustrating the school principals in the western region even on matters of transfers, and nothing has been done. "We shall work in solidarity to make demands over what has happened," he added. He urged the teachers' service commission to come in handy and support them in the fight for justice because the teacher died in the line of duty. "He was at work. Who will protect the Kenyan teachers? Let everything be brought to book because this was a young teacher doing his work and disappeared mysteriously, then after five days his body was found," said Chungani. They said teachers and students at the school are traumatised after learning that the principal was dead. The education officials have also called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to expedite the probe, as tension remains high in Lugari and the surrounding areas. Western Region Police Commander Issa Mohamud confirmed that detectives are investigating the case, saying they are exploring both drowning and murder as possible causes of death. "We are pursuing all angles, including the possibility of foul play. A team of experts has been assigned to handle the case, and justice will be served," Mohamud said. The incident has also taken a political twist after Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera, through his lawyer Danstan Omari, distanced himself from claims linking him to the teacher's death. Nabwera has threatened to sue three bloggers, George Opunga Tamata, Peter Amunga, and Simon Asievela, for defamation, accusing them of publishing "false and malicious" allegations on social media. In demand letters dated November 7 and 8, the legislator gave the bloggers 12 hours to delete all defamatory posts, issue public apologies, and pay Sh20 million in compensation. Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula joined local leaders in condemning the killing, urging the police to move swiftly. "We want to be told what happened from the accident scene to the river. Whoever is involved must be arrested; no one is above the law," Savula said.

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