Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has appealed to politicians across the country to stop fanning political hostility ahead of August 9 polls.

Secretary General Collins Oyuu made the call on Saturday at Akapijan area in Teso North sub-county, Busia during the burial of Kefina Ojuma, mother to Teachers Service Commission commissioner Nicodemus Anyang’.

Oyuu said with the current delocalisation of teachers, the country should not be left to descend to chaos as witnessed during the 2007, 2013 and 2017 elections as it endangers the gains in the education sector.

“We all know that the country is getting into an electioneering period. Politicians must be careful with what they say,” noted Oyuu.

 Democratic right “Our appeal as Knut is that we want very peaceful campaigns. A peaceful electioneering period that shall not have any other person let alone teachers bruised in any way. So were are urging politicians to be very careful about what they say,” he stated.

Oyuu at the same time noted that teachers, just like any other Kenyans, have a constitutional right to participate in politics and no one should be victimised because of their political affiliation.

He said: “Knut will not coerce teachers to support particular candidates as the country gears towards the August General Election.” He continued:

“We are making it clear that we are free to join any political outfit we so wish because it is our democratic right,” he said.

The Knut boss also appealed to delocalised teachers, especially those in areas prone to political violence, banditry and terror attacks to stay put and continue dispensing their duties, noting that the government has taken the necessary security steps to guarantee their safety.

He cautioned teachers working in areas facing instability against leaving without getting official transfer letters from the TSC, as that would be tantamount to desertion.

“I want to say that the affected teachers should just remain humble and set their foot in those places because it is the mandate of TSC to transfer them. It is also within our mandate as Knut to talk about transfers that teachers have actually received,” he counseled.

“If the transfer is deemed punitive, TSC and Knut shall address the matter,” he said.