Teachers want leave to allow them contest political seats

Kenya: Teachers have called on the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to amend the Teachers Code of Conduct and Regulations so as to create a two-month leave period that will allow them to contest political seats.

Speaking in Narok last Friday during the branch Annual General Meeting, the teachers said those interested in political seats are often disadvantaged during elections because they are asked to resign from their positions.

Led by Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Nakuru Executive Secretary Njau Kuria and his Bomet counterpart Malel Langat, the teachers said TSC should give them 60 days leave without pay.

"We have witnessed teachers come out to contest but the unfortunate part is that they are normally asked to resign from the their work. Those who lose are left jobless and we want this leave to allow them to come back and continue with their professional duties," said Mr Kuria.

Drug trafficking

Langat said the leave will motivate more teachers to contest because they will be guaranteed their jobs should they not capture their seats.

"We need to have more teachers in political seats because they have proved to be among the best leaders this country has ever had. Unfortunately, TSC does not absorb those who lose which in turn has exacerbated the teacher shortage in our schools," said Langat.

Kuria also faulted politicians, especially those from Nakuru and Narok counties, for not attending educational forums.

"It is hypocritical for politicians to demand quality education yet they fail to attend forums that seek to raise it. Parliamentarians have totally failed to address the problems facing the education sector in Parliament," he said.

And police officers in Nakuru have arrested a suspect linked to drug trafficking and selling of unlicensed local brew.

The man, who was arrested on Sunday evening, was allegedly transporting 217 rolls of bhang valued at Sh434, 000 and 10 litres of chang'aa in a private salon car from Busia to Nairobi.

Nakuru police boss Bernard Kioko said the suspect was evading a road block along the Salgaa route when he was involved in an accident with another vehicle that was driving along the Eldama Ravine-Nakuru road.

Alcohol test

Kioko said during the arrest, the suspect, who was suspected of speeding, was subjected to an alcohol test and found to have high levels of alcohol in his blood.

"The suspect was discovered to have been transporting bhang after he was involved in an accident as a result of speeding. He was also very drunk," said Kioko.

Kioko said police officers have commenced investigations to arraign the suspect.