The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Women Representative Patricia Melissa has strongly condemned the incident at Kitale Forest Primary School in which a guardian allegedly stripped naked in the staffroom before male teachers, calling for respect, dignity, and peaceful dialogue.
In a statement to the media, Melissa condemned the conduct of a guardian identified as Dona Makena, sister to a Kitale Forest Comprehensive School learner, who reportedly stripped naked in the school’s staffroom before male teachers.
“We strongly condemn the alleged incident involving Guardian Makena, sister to a Kitale Forest Primary School learner, who reportedly stripped naked in the staffroom before our male teachers,” she said.
According to Melissa, the incident raises serious concerns about the wellbeing of male teachers, as the stripping denied them their dignity and amounted to possible sexual harassment.
“Such conduct raises serious concerns about sexual harassment, dignity, and the safety of teachers in their workplace. We demand respect for all teachers, regardless of gender. We call for peaceful dialogue and urge the relevant authorities to address the matter appropriately,” she added.
A call for dialogue
Melissa called for peaceful dialogue to resolve matters, urging guardians to respect teachers and find better approaches when visiting schools, noting that teachers are a critical element in nurturing children into better citizens.
“We demand that parents and guardians respect teachers and observe proper conduct whenever they visit schools. Teachers work tirelessly, day and night, to educate and nurture learners, and they deserve a safe and dignified working environment,” she appealed.
She warned that the situation could escalate if teachers continue to be disrespected and undermined by parents, straining the relationship between teachers and parents.
“If such incidents continue, teachers will be compelled to take appropriate action through the relevant channels to protect their rights, dignity, and safety,” she cautioned.
What caused the confrontation?
Her statement comes barely a day after public outrage over the alleged misconduct of teachers in a viral video over the weekend, showing Makena being mishandled by teachers.
The incident reportedly began when Makena visited the school to seek clarification over lunch fees charged for her younger brother, who had been sent home during exams over the fees.
Makena has since reported the matter at Naisambu Police Station, alleging that the school principal attacked her within the school compound. She claimed she was choked, dragged, and taken to the staffroom, where she was ordered to kneel, kicked in the lower abdomen, hit on the head with a plastic pipe, and had her hands tied with ropes.
She alleged she was bleeding and that an old caesarean section wound was kicked.Her father, Zaverio Mungathia, arrived at the scene and recorded the incident on his phone. The video later went viral on social media. He claims he was also attacked and that the video was deleted from his phone before he managed to recover it.
Trans Nzoia County Director of Education Pamela Akello said investigations into the incident were ongoing, with authorities reviewing the matter to establish the facts and determine the next course of action.
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