‘HIV positive’ teacher seized for raping pupils

A 38-year old teacher believed to be HIV positive has been arrested for allegedly raping five girls in his school.

The girls, aged between 7 and 13, were reportedly defiled in turns by the teacher at Lidha Academy in Nyatike District, in the morning hours when other staff members and pupils were in their classes.

Police rescued the 38-year-old teacher from an angry mob that was baying for his blood, and locked him at Macalder police station.

According to acting school headteacher Joseph Ojijo, he received the information at around 11am when one of the girls told him the ordeal she had been through.

The teacher had been in the school for only two weeks after he was posted from a nearby school, said Mr Ojijo.

Nyatike District police boss Samuel Anampiu said the suspect would face defilement charges in court.

He said the teacher had been examined by doctors and established his HIV status.

According to Mr Anampiu, villagers rushed to the school upon hearing the cries of the pupils as the suspect executed his acts. They roughed him up then the police rescued and whisked him away to the police station.

The Teachers Service Commission said it would strike the teacher off their register if found guilty, according to spokesperson Nkatha Murungi.

Mr Murungi said the defiled girls were taken to hospital for medical treatment to prevent possible infection with the virus.

More than 600 teachers are facing disciplinary cases related to sexual harassment against school girls.

Mr Anampiu appealed to parents to take take their children to credible institutions where their safety would be guaranteed.

The Kenya National Union of Teachers condemned the act and asked its members to desist from such behaviour.

“The union will not condone unprofessional behaviour and if the allegation is true, let the law take its course,” acting secretary general David Okuta said.

The incident occurred last Friday.