Two Mandera bus attack victims buried as teachers demand security

A bus belonging to Makkah Travel Company that was attacked by Al-Shabaab on November 22, 2014. The militants killed 28 people in the Nairobi-bound bus. PHOTO | MANASEH OTSIALO | NATION MEDIA GROUP  

In Summary

• He further said teaching topics such as insurance and banking have a hard time as it is also considered “haram” (sinful) by the locals.
• The teachers presented the petition to leaders who attended the burial of Mr Hillary Jumba, 25, and Mr Douglas Lugazo, 29.

By DERICK LUVEGA
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Two teachers killed in the Mandera bus attack were buried in Vihiga County on Saturday with their colleagues demanding their security be improved before they returned to work.

The burial, held in Sabatia, Vihiga County, saw 21 teachers read a petition to the government seeking assurance of their security and improvement of hardship, travelling and medical allowances before they return to Mandera County next year.

The teachers presented the petition to leaders who attended the burial of Mr Hillary Jumba, 25, and Mr Douglas Lugazo, 29.

The leaders included Vihiga Governor Moses Akaranga, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, Sabatia MP Alfred Agoi, Emuhaya MP Wilbur Otichillo and Vihiga Women Representative Dorcas Kedogo.

In the petition read by Mr Elvis Majani, the teachers said they fear for their lives after the killing of their colleagues by Al-Shabaab militants on November 22.

(READ: Gunmen kill 28 in morning of terror)

"HARAM"

“Most of us are traumatised and a majority of us have sworn not to report to work when schools reopen in January. We would like to call upon our legislators and governor to push for our transfer to our home county.

“Non-locals are the most targeted during attacks. The Government should assure us of our security,” Mr Majani said.

The teachers also said they found it hard to teach some topics in schools in Mandera.

“Some topics and activities are taken as 'haram’. For example a history teacher cannot teach Charles Darwin theory of origin of man while a Biology trainer finds it hard to teach reproduction because locals believe in Allah as the only creator,” said Mr Majani.

He further said teaching topics such as insurance and banking have a hard time as it is also considered “haram” (sinful) by the locals.

(READ: Unions advise staff to quit clash-torn areas)

Leaders who spoke at the burial asked all the professionals working in Mandera County not to return and said they will forward the petition to the Government.

“Our people died a painful death. It is unfortunate the president has told people security is their own responsibility,” said Mr Agoi, the Sabatia MP.

Mr Agoi said the nine-member Security Council chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta has failed Kenyans.

Mr Otichillo asked professionals from the county not to return to Mandera.