Lamu County Commissioner Joseph Kanyiri during a past media briefing. [Photo/ the-star.co.ke]
A section of teachers in Lamu have demanded immediate transfers after allegedly receiving warnings from al-Shabaab militants in the county.
The teachers were recently posted to five schools in Lamu East constituency, after the institutions were reopened following a two-year closure over insecurity.
The teachers have now written to the Teachers Service Commission, threatening to quit if they are not transferred.
Mohamed Loo, one of the teachers, said the insecurity challenges are affecting their work as they are always afraid of being attacked.
"Not a day goes by without threats. We can’t sleep at night due to sounds of gunshots and bombardments. We don’t feel safe and live in constant fear of attacks. Frankly, most of us are even scared to report for work," said Loo, as quoted by The Star.
On his part, Ali Famau said insecurity is not the only problem as they also have to grapple with challenges of water and transportation.
"There are no vehicles in this place, only a few motorcycles which cost an arm and a leg. To move from Basuba to Kiangwe for instance, you need not less than Sh6000. Water is also a problem," said Famau.
Lamu TSC director Charles Nyauma confirmed receiving the teachers’ concerns, adding that they will soon address the issue.
County commissioner Joseph Kanyiri has however dismissed the threat claims, saying the area is secure.
"Basuba is safe. There is nothing to worry about. Those saying they don’t feel safe have other reasons for doing so," said Kanyiri.The five schools are Basuba, Mangai, Milimani, Mararani and Kiangwe primary schools.