Trans Nzoia teacher unions have rallied behind a teacher at Forest Primary Comprehensive School accused of assaulting a guardian, demanding an impartial investigation and warning that continued attacks on educators could disrupt learning.
The unions urged the public to hear both sides of the story before reaching conclusions over the incident, which reportedly occurred when the guardian visited the school to plead for her brother, who had allegedly been sent home over unpaid lunch fees.
A video circulating on social media shows a visibly distressed woman identified as Makena complaining about her injuries and claiming she had been kicked and was bleeding.
KNUT and KUPPET officials said the allegations should be investigated fairly, insisting that teachers must be protected from intimidation and abuse while performing their duties.
KNUT Trans Nzoia Executive Secretary George Wanjala claimed the guardian had caused a commotion at the school before the incident and alleged that the headteacher had also been assaulted.
“It’s unfair that the guardian took matters into her own hands,” Wanjala said, questioning why she had not followed established procedures to resolve her grievances.
KUPPET Trans Nzoia Executive Secretary Dan Kutai warned that the union would not tolerate attacks on teachers, saying educators had endured abuse for too long.
“We are here to protect teachers who are being abused. Teachers have suffered in silence for a long time, and this must come to an end,” Kutai said.
He accused some members of the public of using confrontations involving teachers to generate social media content, warning that such incidents could undermine educators’ dignity and professional standing.
“Schools are institutions of learning. Teachers cannot be expected to discharge their duties in an environment where they are subjected to intimidation and abuse,” he said.
Kutai urged parents and guardians to channel complaints through school administrations and relevant education authorities instead of resorting to confrontations.
KUPPET chairman Paul Weyama called for the accused teacher to be accorded a fair hearing, insisting that the allegations must be established through an impartial process.
“The teacher should be given a fair hearing. Let us protect our schools and ensure that teachers can perform their duties without fear,” Weyama said.
KNUT chairman Wilberforce Wamalwa similarly urged parents and guardians to respect school regulations when seeking assistance.
“Schools have regulations that need to be followed by anyone who wants assistance. Let’s respect our teachers,” Wamalwa said.
Meanwhile, the school’s Board of Management vice-chairman, Asphenus Makori, defended the school’s lunch-fee policy, saying parents were required to pay for meals.
Education stakeholder Caro Murei called on investigative agencies to establish the facts, cautioning against condemning either party based solely on claims circulating on social media.
“I advise the community to get both sides of the story before jumping to conclusions on any matter on social media,” Murei said.
The unions warned that continued harassment and attacks on teachers could force them to consider withdrawing their services if the situation persisted.
They urged parents, guardians and other stakeholders to resolve disputes through established channels, saying fair investigations were necessary to protect both educators and members of the public.
