Teachers in Kakamega Warn of KCSE Exam Disruption Following Mysterious Death of School Principal
Tension is rising across Kakamega as the community grapples with a disturbing murder case that has sent shockwaves through the education sector. The death of Simon Isiaho, the principal of Munyuki PAG Secondary School, has raised serious concerns about the safety of educators and the potential disruption of the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams.
Isiaho’s body was discovered in the Kipkaren River on Saturday, November 8, after he had been missing for several days. Initial reports suggested the incident might have been an accident, but investigators and locals suspect foul play. His body showed signs of injuries, prompting questions about how he ended up in the river.
The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has issued a strong warning that the KCSE exams in Kakamega could be disrupted if authorities do not act swiftly to apprehend those responsible for the killing. KUPPET Kakamega Chairman Johnston Wabuti stated that the union would withdraw all school heads from exam centers until the perpetrators are arrested.
“The principal was dumped in the river, and the body had visible injuries. This is painful to us. If there is no clear explanation on who did this, we will have no choice but to stop exams in this county,” Wabuti said.
Teachers at Munyuki Secondary School expressed their distress over the circumstances surrounding Isiaho’s death. Anthony Gisamba, a teacher at the school, said, “We need answers on what took place. A teacher cannot lose his life in such a cruel way.”
Damary Kisiangani, the union’s vice treasurer in the county, added, “It is hard to believe someone can step out to collect exam papers and never make it back.”
Kakamega deputy governor Ayub Savula called on the police to investigate thoroughly and ensure that no one is above the law. “The teacher was killed and dumped in the river. We want to know the truth. Anyone found responsible, whether a politician or another senior figure, must be arrested,” he said.
Some KUPPET members criticized the authorities for not treating the matter with urgency, suggesting that the response would have been different if the victim were a senior government official. “Teachers’ lives matter. If this were someone high-ranking, arrests would have been made by now,” one member said.
Legal Action Over Alleged Links to the Killing
In a related development, Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera has taken legal action against three bloggers based in Kakamega. He has filed a court demand seeking KSh 20 million in damages, accusing them of publishing defamatory content that linked him to the disappearance of the deceased principal.
Nabwera’s lawyers argued that the bloggers shared posts during the period when the principal went missing after a road accident. They claimed the posts were politically motivated and damaged the MP’s reputation ahead of recent party activities.
Concerns Over Teacher Safety
The murder has sparked renewed concern over the safety of teachers, coming just a month after another tragic incident in Garissa. A 27-year-old lecturer from Garissa Teachers College was stabbed to death by three unknown men on October 11. The incident occurred when the lecturer was riding his motorcycle during errands. The attackers stopped him and stabbed him repeatedly before fleeing the scene.
He was rushed to Garissa County Referral Hospital but later died while receiving treatment. This latest tragedy has left the education community in fear, raising questions about the security of educators across the country.
As the investigation into Isiaho’s death continues, the pressure on authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice remains high. With the KCSE exams approaching, the threat of disruption looms large, and the education sector is watching closely to see how the situation unfolds.