School heads came to blows during the Kenya primary school head teachers' conference in Mombasa, bringing the annual meeting to a standstill.
Commotion which was characterised by shouting and throwing of chairs and bottles was caused by calls to increase the Ksh100 the head teachers pay as union fees every month to the Kenya Primary Schools Head Teachers Association (Kepsha).
The chaos started when some teachers opposed the charge, arguing that the union leaders had failed to explain how they usually spend the money.
Angry members demanded the resignation of Kepsha chairman Shem Ndolo although some teachers who support the chairman dismissed the calls by their colleagues.
[caption caption="Headteachers protesting against Shem Ndolo's remarks"]
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Headteachers who spoke to the press revealed that Kepsha members had before questioned the association on how their Ksh500 contribution will be put to use, however, the question allegedly did not go well with the Ndolo, who gave a cruel response.
They accused Ndolo of dismissing the question quoting him as having stated that that was ‘nonsense’ which prompted an outburst among his colleagues.
A headteacher who identified himself to the media as Abdalla Kajimu Kambe swore that Ndolo would be ousted from his position due to what the teachers termed as arrogance.
“On behalf of my colleagues, we are not ready to retain that particular colleague because teachers have suffered a great deal," Kambe lamented.
"He has to go and we are not ready for his apology anymore,” he added, while flanked by irate colleagues.
The more than 10,000 teachers threatened to pass a vote of no confidence in Ndolo and swear in his deputy Nicholas Gathemia to take over.
[caption caption="Kepsha chairman Shem Ndolo"]
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Additionally, the school heads further criticised Ndolo for opposing teachers' strike planned by their union from September 1.
The meeting was brought to a halt for a few minutes after Ndolo gave his remarks and called for support from the head teachers.
"Chapter 6 on office bearers, membership and elections in Kepsha constitution states that it (the fees) will be reviewed every 10 years," Ndolo stated.
