The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has issued a stern warning to the government, threatening to disrupt the ongoing KCSE examinations in Kakamega County following the shocking murder of Munyuki Secondary School Principal.
The principal, who had been missing for several days, was discovered dead and dumped in the Kipkaren River on Saturday, November 8.
Preliminary reports indicate that the incident may have been staged to look like an accident, though investigators suspect he was tortured and killed before being thrown into the river.
Union’s Reaction
Speaking to the media, KUPPET Kakamega Chairman Johnston Wabuti condemned the killing, describing it as a barbaric act and vowing to take action if justice is not served swiftly.
“The principal’s body was badly mutilated and dumped in a river. If the government does not explain who is behind this heinous act, we shall have no choice but to pull out all principals from KCSE exam centres in Kakamega,” Wabuti declared.
He accused authorities of neglecting the case, suggesting that investigations were moving slowly because the victim was “just a teacher.”
County Leaders Demand Justice
Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula echoed KUPPET’s sentiments, calling on law enforcement agencies to bring the perpetrators to book, regardless of their social or political standing.
“The teacher was killed and dumped in a river. We want to know what really happened. If anyone — whether a politician or a senior official — is found responsible, they must be arrested immediately,” Savula insisted.
KUPPET officials and local teachers have also urged the government to treat the case with urgency, warning that failure to act could trigger industrial action that disrupts national examinations.
Rising Cases of Teacher Killings
The tragic incident adds to a worrying trend of violence targeting educators. Just a month ago, a Garissa Teachers College lecturer was stabbed to death by three unidentified men while running errands on his motorcycle.
The 27-year-old teacher succumbed to his injuries at the Garissa County Referral Hospital, prompting protests from teachers and boda boda operators demanding justice.
“We are losing young, hardworking teachers. If it were a government official, arrests would have been made already. We want justice for teachers,” a protester lamented.
As investigations continue, KUPPET has maintained that unless meaningful progress is made, it will mobilize teachers to withdraw from exam centres, potentially disrupting the KCSE process across the county.