North Eastern region leaders have been asked not to threaten non-local teachers for withdrawing their services in the region due to security concerns.
Kenya Livestock Marketing Council chairman Dubat Amey said that teachers have a right to ask for transfers if they feel their lives are not protected.
Mr Amey said non-local teachers in war stricken areas of Wajir County and other areas in North Eastern should not be intimidated for asking for transfers.
Speaking to the press in Garissa town, Mr Amey said leaders from the region should stop politicising the current transfer of non-local teachers by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
He said that concerns by non-local teachers were genuine and they should be transferred in areas they feel safe to work.
“We cannot equate the right to life and the right to work. The teachers have a right leave those places they feel they are not safe until their security is assured.”
“Non-local teachers cannot be taken hostage by the leaders, the parents and the community in this region. Some members of parliament are saying that the teachers must stay. Why should they threaten a teacher from Nyeri who wants to be transferred for fear of his live,” said the chairman.
Mr Amey asked the leaders to engage with the TSC that effected the transfer of the non-local teachers out of the region to find a solution to the current crisis.
TSC had transferred non-local teachers following a terror attack on three teachers at Qarsa Primary School a month ago. Close to 200 non-local teachers have left the county due to security concerns.