It’s safe to come back, Garissa teachers tell colleagues

Locals teaching in Garissa County have asked their colleagues from other parts of Kenya to resume duty saying there is no cause for alarm as the government has assured them of their security.

In an interview with the Nation, the teachers said there have not been any recent breaches of security in the county and added that enhanced police patrols have boosted their confidence to stay put in their respective schools.

The Nation has established that majority of the 600 non-local teachers working in Garissa have resumed duty. Only 94 are yet to show up at their respective institutions.

“I think everyone has their own right but for me I don’t think there is any problem as far as security is concerned. There was a time when even going to church was a problem,” Patricia Serem who teaches History and Kiswahili at County High School told the Nation Thursday.

Ms Serem who comes from Nandi said security has improved in the recent month noting that there have not been many incidents of insecurity compared to previous years where security officials and people from other parts of the country have been targeted.

Mr Julius Ndeto who teaches in the same school said he has been teaching in schools in northern region for more than 10 years and has therefore adapted himself to the way of life of locals.

He refuted claims of harassment of non-locals.

“Socially, people are different and some of us are able to live with locals and there is no animosity between us,” he said.

School heads in the county threatened to sue Knut Secretary-General Wilson Sossion as an individual for allegedly inciting teachers against working in the region.

Teachers in the three counties of Mandera, Garissa and Wajir have been camping at the Teachers Service Commission and Knut headquarters respectively since the schools reopened. They are seeking transfers from the region citing insecurity.

SECURITY HAS IMPROVED

Meanwhile Garissa County Commissioner Rashid Khator has asked teachers who are yet to report to their work stations to do so saying that security in the area had been improved.

While addressing a public baraza at Bula Iftin, Garissa Town, Mr Khator said that security apparatus in the area were alert and patrols have been increased to ensure that no insecurity incidents occur.

While popularizing the Nyumba Kumi initiative, the county commissioner urged the locals to be vigilant and report any suspicious characters to the police.

“I want Nyumba Kumi to assist us in reporting every kind of crime that is taking place in our midst. If you see children in you neighbourhood who are not going to school please report to us,” he said.

He said there will be competition among various Nyuma Kumi clusters and those who maintain peace or lead to the arrest of suspected criminals will be rewarded.

“We are doing everything possible to ensure that everybody’s life and property is protected. Please stay calm and continue serving the people of Garissa, because they too are Kenyans and require your services,” said Khator in reference to public servants working in the county.

He urged local residents to peacefully co-exist with other Kenyans from other parts of the country and help in identifying criminals who he said hide in their midst.