Politics
School fires teacher for eyeing MP’s seat
A young man near campaign posters in Starehe. The by-elections are set for September 20. Photo/SULEIMAN MBATIAH
Posted Wednesday, September 8 2010 at 22:30
A teacher has been sacked for vying for the Starehe parliamentary seat. Starehe Boys Centre director, Mr Matthew Kithyaka, on Wednesday said that Mr John Opot, a teacher at the centre, was sacked over conflict of interest.
Mr Opot is contesting for the Starehe seat on a Social Democratic Party ticket. Mr Kithyaka said in a letter to Mr Opot that he should have resigned before engaging in active politics.
Mr Opot, however, said the school erred by dismissing him as it is a non-governmental organisation.
Mr Opot, who was the school deputy games teacher before being demoted to swimming teacher, said the school had used his involvement in politics as a scapegoat to sack him.
On Wednesday, Starehe deputy returning officer Mumina Bonaya said preparations for the by-election were in top gear.
She said the Interim Independent Electoral Commission met all the candidates except PNU’s Maina Kamanda who sent a representative on Tuesday and they had agreed to conduct peaceful campaigns.
Ms Bonaya said 414 returning officers and their deputies and 886 clerks had been appointed. In Makadara, returning officer Florence Kwamboka said preparations were going smoothly and staff were being hired.
Meanwhile, former assistant minister Dick Wathika, who lost the Makadara seat following an election petition, on Wednesday took his campaign to Lunga Lunga where he donated chairs to Star of Hope Secondary. Mr Wathika is vying on a PNU ticket.
The Starehe, Juja and Makadara by-elections will be held on September 20, while the one for Wajir South will be conducted on October 13.
The deadline for nominations for Wajir South is September 13. All the seats were left vacant following court petitions.
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Submitted by ras2004Posted September 09, 2010 09:27 AM
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Submitted by bkisia
one thing that is not clear is what is the agreement/contract between Opot and the school. I don't see how you can be campaigning and teaching at the same time.
Posted September 09, 2010 09:26 AM -
Submitted by gw82
Am a Starehe old boy and totally support the Director's action. Mr Opot should have resigned first to vie for the seat then return if he fails to get it. That would have been the honourable thing to do. Mtaka yote hukosa yote. I wonder if he would have done the same were Griffin alive. He would never entertain such nonesense.
Posted September 09, 2010 09:11 AM -
Submitted by KenyanSamenya
Not only civil servant have to resign if they wish to engage in active politics, but even chaps in private sector must resign too. Nobody will allow the politics nonsense at the place of work, public or private.it is not about your well being for you to keep a job while in politics. Go to politics at your own peril, you succeed good for you, you fail, kaa ngumu!
Posted September 09, 2010 08:43 AM -
Submitted by coldcase
Yes, he should have resigned first. I own three private schools in Kenya and if any of my teachers goes off to seek a political office, he either resigns or I fire him. Some of you think the new constitution is a free pass to mediocrity and anarchy! @Neo_kenyan, stop misleading people about America and @Amakobe, who cares what you think, I am proud of Starehe!
Posted September 09, 2010 08:21 AM
RSS
Kudos Starehe. That guyshould be kicked very far from the vicinity of the school. I suffered a lot in primary school coz my English and GHC teacher was busy transporting timber from the Aberdares to Mombasa. What time will this guy teach and prepare lessons? May he be fired again,as in fired after being fired. Shameless fellow!!