Kenya: Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Secretary General Wilson Sossion has asked the police to explain to him in writing why he was summoned.
Mr Sossion through his lawyer Chacha Odera on Wednesday wrote to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations saying he was ready to assist them with any "legitimate investigations".
"Our client is a law-biding citizen. He equally and jealously guards his rights both under the Constitution and under the law," the letter partly read.
Mr Odera said police should apply the law that allows them to summon Sossion at a time that is convenient to both the officers and the Knut boss's legal team.
Under section 52 of the National Service Police Act, Sossion is entitled to be informed in writing of the issue he is being summoned for so that he can prepare adequately to assist where necessary, he said.
Sossion told The Standard he is ready to meet police if and when he knows the particular reasons for his summon.
Section 52 (7) of the Act provides that failure by a police officer to comply with the requirement of section 52 in relation to making a statement shall render the statement inadmissible in any proceedings in which it is sought to have the statement admitted in evidence.
Head of Investigations at CID headquarters Joseph Ngisa had summoned Sossion for an interview on Wednesday and to record a statement regarding the standoff by teachers posted to North Eastern region.
CID Director Ndegwa Muhoro said Sossion would be informed appropriately.
Learning in North Eastern schools has been paralysed as non-local teachers continue to stay away.
School leadership
The tutors vowed to defy the return-to-work order by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and dared the Government to sack them, insisting they could not risk their safety for teaching posts.
Teachers were among the 64 people who were executed by Al-Shabaab as they were heading home for the Christmas holidays. TSC released a statement asking the teachers stationed in Wajir, Garissa and Mandera to report to work not later than February 2.
They have complained about management of national exams, discrimination and lack of say in the leadership of public schools.
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