KDF Airlifts Teachers to Schools Amid Boni Forest Insecurity Concerns
As the learning resumed, teachers working in schools located in the Boni Forest region of Lamu County were airlifted to ensure their safety.
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) who were responsible for the transportation of the teachers guaranteed their safety, despite the region’s history of insecurity.
The teachers had failed to report to work on January 23rd when schools reopened for the new academic year.
Joshua Kaaga, the Lamu Education Director, stated that his office would continue to work closely with the security department to ensure that educational activities in the hard-to-reach areas of Lamu take place.
The airlifting of teachers sparked mixed reactions among Kenyans. Some sympathized with the teachers, who they felt were not safe in their places of work, while others demanded that the government provide adequate security in terrorist-prone areas.
Paul Mwaseti emphasized the need for security in schools to ensure that learning takes place smoothly.
Eric Maranga questioned why the KDF troops were being sent to the Democratic Republic of Congo while their own people were not secure.
Isaiah Kiplagat called for teachers working in such areas to receive hardship allowances, property security assurance, and any other benefits that would allow them to perform their duties effectively.
David Gachago suggested that the government train officers to become teachers and deploy them to the affected areas.
In the past, during national examination periods, the government had to airlift candidates from the same area to safer schools.
In 2021, a KDF officer stepped in to teach in one of the schools in the region after teachers failed to report for duty out of fear for their safety.
The region recently experienced an attack by Al Shabaab militants on a vehicle carrying court officials, further highlighting the need for increased security measures in the area.
KDF Airlifts Teachers to Schools Amid Boni Forest Insecurity Concerns
