Mbita: Security officials in Suba North Sub County have launched investigations after county government enforcement officers allegedly stormed a private school in Mbita and assaulted a teacher, triggering public outrage among education stakeholders, parents, and residents. Mbita Deputy County Commissioner Peter Mutiso confirmed that the assaulted teacher had recorded a statement with police and investigations had commenced. He condemned the conduct of the officers and urged the county government to take disciplinary action against those responsible.
According to Kenya News Agency, public servants are expected to serve citizens with decorum and professionalism, and the assault along with the use of abusive language cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. ‘The incident is regrettable and amounts to a breach of the regulations and code of conduct governing public officers,’ said Mutiso. The confrontation, captured on camera and widely circulated online, drew criticism from teachers, parents, and local lead
ers.
The officers, commonly known as askaris, claimed they had been instructed by their superiors to visit AMG School to verify whether the institution was compliant with county tax requirements. AMG School manager John Amollo stated that the officers arrived at the institution in two vehicles and immediately demanded access to the school management. ‘All visitors are required to report to the secretary’s office and register before proceeding. That is the school protocol, but the askaris refused to comply,’ Amollo said.
Amollo described how about 18 enforcement officers entered the compound and rudely demanded to see the school manager without following laid down procedures. ‘They stormed into my office while I was attending to one of the parents. They insisted they could not wait,’ he said. He further alleged that a senior enforcement officer instructed a junior officer to assault the school head teacher during the confrontation. Amollo maintained that the institution had committed no offence and questione
d why staff members were manhandled in a learning environment in the presence of learners and parents.
During the incident, parents attending a meeting at the school reportedly rushed out to witness the commotion. Amollo explained that AMG School is duly registered and complies with all requirements set by both the county and national governments. He noted that the renewal of the institution’s single business permit had been delayed because the county revenue department had not sent the necessary invoice to facilitate online payment. ‘They only sent the invoice after the incident. We have since paid and obtained the permit,’ he said.
Frederick Okeyo, chairperson of the Kenya Comprehensive School Heads Association, also condemned the incident and demanded accountability from those responsible. ‘The school may be privately owned, but learners and teachers are entitled to safety and dignity. We want to know who sent the officers, whose interests they were serving, and why a teacher should be assaulted in a sch
ool,’ Okeyo said. He warned that similar incidents could occur in other institutions if firm disciplinary action was not taken against the officers involved. ‘For such incidents to end, action must be taken against everyone who participated in assaulting the head teacher,’ he added.
Victor Odhiambo, Mbita Kenya National Union of Teachers Executive Secretary, stated that the confrontation traumatized learners and disrupted normal learning activities at the institution. Odhiambo emphasized that the union remains committed to defending the rights and welfare of all trained teachers, including those working in private schools. Meanwhile, George Ouko, Mbita East Zone Curriculum Support Officer, said the latest incident reflected a growing pattern of harassment by rogue enforcement officers in the area.
He claimed that teachers who ride motorcycles often face intimidation from county askaris manning roadblocks to enforce tax compliance. ‘We have had cases of teachers reporting late because they were stopped by en
forcement officers. I once witnessed a teacher being detained for hours by the same officers. Such actions have become too common. Teachers deserve respect,’ Ouko said.
