Kisii South KNUT Branch Executive Secretary, Geoffrey Mogire has condemned Teachers Service Commission's move to interdict four teachers of Itierio ELCK Boys High school, for allegedly failing to solve impediments in the school that resulted to the torching of seven dorms a week ago.
Among the teachers interdicted are the principal, Andrew Otara and his deputy.
In a press statement sent to newsrooms on Monday morning, Mr Mogire fondly referred to as 'Mtumishi', accused the teachers' employer of violating the law for not conducting a credible investigation into the fire incident before interdicting the teachers.
"Following the unfortunate developments at Itierio High School last week, TSC has moved to interdict 4 teachers at Itierio High School without adherence to the due process, in a rather hasty manner. As a branch, we wish to share our concern with the public and the relevant education stakeholders in regard to this matter," he said in a statement.
"While we commend and support the CS Education in the measures he has put in place to clean up the rot in the sector and streamline operations in the ministry, we in the same measure ask him to go slow on some issues, especially on school administration and role of teachers in schools," said Mogire.
"We ask him, TSC and other stakeholders to have consultations before certain actions are taken especially on those ones that touch on the day to day running of schools," he added.
TSC CEO Nancy Macharia visited Itierio Boys with CS Education Fred Matiang'i on Monday last week, whereby he blamed school heads for unrest and burning of schools.
"TSC CEO visited these schools in the company of politicians and in the process acted in prejudice with pressure from some of the politicians. For the case of Itierio, we cannot rule out politics coming on the heels since we have seen four other similar incidents at the neighboring secondary schools where we saw the hand of local politics," he said.
"My firm appeal on behalf of Kisii South KNUT branch is that TSC must follow the laid down process of investigations before taking action against the vulnerable teachers," he added.
Mr Mogire, who is also NEC member from Nyanza region, blamed the education chiefs for punishing teachers, particularly the principal, yet they were together in Mombasa for KESSHA meeting.
"In the case of the Principal, it is baffling that he's being interdicted even when the CS and the TSC CEO are aware they were together in Mombasa for their KESSHA conference whereby they addressed them together with the President. The principal only arrived from Mombasa to find his school on fire," said Mogire.
"He's being interdicted even before he sat with his staff to conduct investigations. Isn't it a clear case of harassment and malice? We, therefore, wish to join other education holders in demanding for due process of investigations including consulting the sponsor before any action is taken especially in regard to disciplinary action against teachers," ends the statement.
Meanwhile, transport along Kisii-Migori highway at Suneka town was paralysed on Monday, after the community staged a demo protesting against the sacking of teachers. The demonstrators barricaded the road.
Other schools affected by teacher interdiction include Nyamache Secondary in Kisii County and Tengecha Boys in Kericho County.