Busia Residents Chase Away Teachers From Interview [VIDEO]

Journalists and residents caught up in the violent protests in Kawangware on October 12, 2020.
Journalists and residents caught up in the violent protests in Kawangware on October 12, 2020.
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Residents of Bunyala area, Busia County, were on Thursday, October 15, captured on video driving away non-residential teachers who had applied for teaching posts in the counties.

Armed with sticks and other crude objects, the residents could be seen scattering the various applicants demanding for locals only to remain.

One of the teachers condemned the act terming it as unlawful, since they had been invited by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to attend the recruitment exercise.

A signpost showing Teachers Service Commission mandated with hiring teachers in Kenya.
A signpost showing the Teachers Service Commission office. TSC is mandated with hiring teachers in Kenya
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"Is this what we call national unity if they (residents) can chase us away from such an exercise?" one of the teachers told the Standard in an interview.

In a statement on Wednesday, October 14, TSC Head of Corporate Affairs Beatrice Wababu stated that the nationwide exercise was still ongoing despite the isolated incidences.

"Recruitment of teachers has not stopped in Busia or any other county. Working with other arms of government, TSC county officers assure applicants of their safety during the process.

Reports of applicants being chased from their designated recruitment centres have been reported in various counties. 

Earlier in the week, a number of applicants from Budalangi, Busia County also claimed that they were chased away from the recruitment areas by armed goons.

Wababu urged selected candidates to appear for their interviews at their designated centres.

"We encourage applicants to turn up in good time where they have been invited, and to carry along the necessary documents," she advised.

Teachers have raised concerns on the recruitment process by the TSC, labelling the exercise as unlawful and unfair. 

Teachers who graduated in 2019 had complaints pertaining to the matter as they were only allocated 15% points, with those who graduated in 2020 getting 10 marks in the grading.

 

Watch the video below:

 

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