Homa Bay, Kenya| The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Homa Bay branch has strongly condemned the harassment and forced removal of teachers by parents dissatisfied with school performance in the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations.
The union has threatened to facilitate the transfer of affected teachers to ensure their safety and well-being.
The incidents, which occurred midweek, involved chaotic scenes at Ototo Secondary School in South Kabuoch Ward and St. Williams Osodo Secondary School.
Frustrated parents, angered by the poor academic performance, stormed the offices of the respective principals, forcibly ejecting them and subjecting them to public humiliation.
At Ototo Secondary School, parents demanded the immediate transfer of Principal Clement Obare following the school’s disappointing mean grade of 3.7, with no student qualifying for university admission.
They attributed the subpar results to alleged mismanagement of school resources and a lack of adequate learning materials under the principal’s tenure.

KUPPET Condemns Mob Justice
Speaking on the matter, Homa Bay KUPPET Secretary Stephen Yogo decried the incidents, emphasizing that teachers should not be scapegoats for systemic challenges.
He called for the immediate relocation of teachers from the affected schools to safer environments.
“The parents brought chaos to these schools. As a union, we cannot tolerate mob justice or threats against teachers. We will ensure the affected teachers are transferred to institutions where their safety and dignity are respected,” Yogo stated.
He urged all teachers from the two schools to report to the union office on Monday to initiate their transfers.
“We have assessed the situation and determined that the security of these teachers is at risk. We cannot allow them to continue working under such hostile conditions,” he added.
Shared Responsibility in Education
KUPPET Chairman Jack Okoth echoed Yogo’s sentiments, reminding parents that student performance is a collective responsibility involving teachers, students, parents, and the government.
“Blaming teachers solely for poor results is misguided. Education success depends on collaborative efforts, and parents must play their part constructively,” he said.
The union leaders also emphasized the importance of creating a conducive learning environment.
They called on the government to expedite the disbursement of capitation funds to schools to enhance resource availability and improve learning conditions.
Government Responds
Homa Bay County Commissioner Moses Lilan condemned the confrontational actions by parents, describing them as illegal and disruptive to the education system.
He urged parents to address grievances through appropriate channels, such as the Ministry of Education, rather than resorting to violence and intimidation.
“We will not allow anyone to destabilize learning institutions. Law enforcement will take action against individuals engaging in such disruptive behavior,” Lilan warned.
He assured teachers of the government’s commitment to their safety and called for calm among all stakeholders as efforts are made to resolve the issues affecting the schools.
A Call for Long-Term Solutions
The incidents at Ototo and St. Williams Osodo secondary schools highlight broader challenges within the education sector, including resource allocation, accountability, and performance management.
KUPPET has vowed to advocate for the welfare of teachers while urging all parties to embrace dialogue and constructive engagement to improve educational outcomes in the region.
As the union prepares to relocate affected teachers, it remains to be seen how these events will influence the relationship between parents, educators, and the government in addressing challenges within Kenya’s education system.