The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), Kisumu County branch, has issued a scathing rejoinder to Kisumu East MP Hon. Shakeel Shabbir, strongly condemning his recent verbal assault on teachers at St. Peter’s Kindu Secondary School.
In an official statement released on Saturday, KUPPET denounced what it termed as public humiliation and political intimidation against educators, following a now-viral video in which the legislator aggressively confronted the teaching staff during a meeting with parents and local leaders.
“We remind the Hon. Member of Parliament that employment, discipline, and transfer of teachers is the sole mandate of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). Hon. Shabbir has no authority to threaten teachers with transfers in an attempt to make space for his over 100 political supporters,” read part of the statement signed by KUPPET Executive Secretary Zablon Oliech Awange.
The union accused the MP of crossing professional boundaries, warning that such behavior not only tarnishes the image of teachers but also risks their morale, safety, and the quality of curriculum delivery.
Particularly condemned was the MP’s public dressing-down of a teacher identified as Kennedy Okito, an act the union described as “a peak display of arrogance and political intimidation.”
KUPPET Kisumu County issued four firm demands:
- That the MP respects the legal mandate of TSC and stops interfering in teacher management issues.
- An immediate end to threats or verbal attacks on teachers, warning of possible mass withdrawal of teachers from Kindu School if intimidation persists.
- That the MP be held personally responsible for any harm or insecurity targeting teachers, allegedly fueled by political goons aligned to his camp.
- A public apology from Hon. Shabbir, failure of which will trigger large-scale demonstrations and a formal petition for TSC to transfer teachers from Kindu citing a hostile work environment.
“Teachers are the backbone of education, not punching bags for political showmanship,” the statement read, urging the Ministry of Education, TSC, and education stakeholders to act decisively in defense of teacher dignity and safety.
The row has ignited national debate, with educators and civic leaders calling for political restraint and reaffirmation of the independent role played by teachers in shaping the future of learners.
As the standoff intensifies, all eyes are now on Hon. Shabbir to see whether he will heed KUPPET’s call and issue a public apology, or risk a full-blown confrontation with the teaching fraternity.
