Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok has confirmed plans to arrest a teacher from Alliance Girls High School accused of grooming and taking advantage of high school students.
Bitok spoke at a Thanksgiving Day event at Kapkoros Barngetuny Secondary School, in Nandi County, where he confirmed the that Ministry of Education had engaged law enforcement agencies to ensure the arrest and interdiction of the teacher.
"That teacher is going to be punished. We have talked to TSC and all the other stakeholders to ensure that he is arrested,” Bitok said.
Earlier this week, a report from an investigation revealed disturbing allegations against the male teacher. In the report, former and current students accused the long-serving teacher, who led the Christian Union of inappropriate acts, which allegedly extended beyond the school.
A report by Africa Uncensored claimed the teacher used his position to form strong bonds with vulnerable girls, leading to non-consensual physical encounters.
In his sentiments on Thursday, Bitok emphasised that the government had an uncompromising stance on safeguarding learners, particularly in learning institutions.
He added, "We are not going to condone any behaviour where teachers or any other stakeholder in schools take advantage of our children."
“We want to condemn in the strongest terms possible any conduct by teachers, staff, or anyone in the school community who seeks to exploit students sexually. As government, we are saying such behaviour will not be tolerated.”
The PS further noted that such cases extended beyond Alliance Girls High School, as he vowed the government's stance to crack down on teachers who engaged in similar misconduct.
Bitok's statement came after a wave of pressure from different stakeholders , days after the report went viral. The Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA-Kenya) was among the first body to speak up, demanding action against the administration of Alliance Girls High School.
"We demand that the Ministry of Education hold the school accountable for its failure to safeguard students from harm and initiate disciplinary and legal action against those responsible for enabling the abuse," FIDA Chairperson Christine Kungu said in a statement on July 8.
Kungu has further urged the ministry to issue a directive to all schools to ensure that institutions across the country establish a clear mechanism enabling teachers to respond effectively to sexual and gender-based violence occurring within schools.
Meanwhile, a group of former Alliance Girls High School students on Thursday morning staged peaceful demonstrations to protest against the male teacher.
