Kisumu East MP Shakeel Shabir has issued a public apology after facing backlash over a viral video in which he was seen harshly reprimanding a teacher during an official event.
The apology follows mounting pressure from Kenyans and education stakeholders, including teachers’ unions, who condemned the MP’s conduct as demeaning and uncalled for.
The incident took place at St. Peter’s Kindu Secondary School in Kisumu, where the legislator was captured verbally attacking a teaching staff.
KUPPET Secretary-General Akelo Misori, flanked by union officials from the Nyanza region, condemned the MP’s actions during a press briefing held in Kisumu on July 13, 2025.
The union demanded an unconditional public apology by Monday, warning that teachers in the area would boycott their duties if the issue was not addressed.
Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary-General Collins Oyuu also weighed in, urging political leaders to uphold decorum and show respect for teachers across the country, noting that such public humiliation undermines the dignity of the teaching profession.
KUPPET Kisumu County branch also issued four strong demands to Kisumu East MP Shakeel Shabir following the viral incident involving his verbal altercation with the Kindu School teacher.
Several teachers, according to a spot check done by Kenyans.co.ke, had slammed the MP, prompting their parent unions to act.
The unions demanded that the MP respect the legal mandate of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and refrain from interfering in teacher management matters, which fall strictly under the commission’s purview.
KUPPET called for an immediate halt to threats and verbal abuse directed at teachers, warning that continued intimidation would prompt the mass withdrawal of staff from Kindu School to safeguard their welfare.
Third, the union stated that the MP should be held personally responsible for any harm or insecurity that may befall teachers, accusing him of creating a toxic environment allegedly fuelled by political goons aligned with his office.
KUPPET had also demanded a public apology from Shabbir. The union warned that failure to apologise would result in large-scale demonstrations and a formal petition to the TSC, requesting the transfer of all teachers from the school due to what they described as a hostile work environment.
