Head teachers hold meeting in Mombasa
Secondary head teachers follow the proceedings during this year’s secondary school head teachers conference in Mombasa, the teachers have asked the Government to revive its promises especially as elections nears by .photo Elkana Jacob
KSSHA national chairman Cleophas Tirop (C), director of education responsible for policy, partnership and East African community Karogu Wa Magochi (L) and far (R) is the director quality assurance and standard Mohamed Mwinyipembe during this year’s secondary school head teachers conference in Mombasa.photo Elkana Jacob
Police officers keeps vigil during this year’s secondary school head teachers conference in Mombasa,the teachers have asked the Government to revive its promises especially as elections nears by .photo Elkana Jacob
Security has been tightened at the Wild Waters Complex in Kisauni, Mombasa, where about 5,000 secondary school headteachers are meeting to discuss education matters in the country. Participants had to go through several security checks before being allowed into the complex. Security officers, including plain cloths police officers, have been deployed at the complex to secure it.
The teachers also declared that they will not be cowed by any threats issued by criminal and extremist groups. “We are Kenyans and this is our country. Security starts with us. We will not be intimidated by those threats. We shall continue with our business as usual,” said Kenya Secondary School Heads Association chairman Cleophas Tirop yesterday.
However, he said they are cautious of the threats and are on the lookout. The conference, whose theme is ‘Change Management’, comes amid an alert of a possible terror attack in Mombasa issued by the US government last week. There was also an explosion that killed three people and injured about 28 others in Mshomoroni area of Kisuani constituency, where the conference is being held, on Sunday.
However, the school heads put a brave face saying they have full confidence in the police in Mombasa. “We have engaged the security team and we are happy with the preparations they have made. The PPO and all the senior government officials have been here,” said Tirop at the Wild Waters Complex.
Coast police boss Aggrey Adoli said: “Security has been beefed up in the whole region to ensure that all are safe. We are committed to ensuring high standard of security and intelligence are maintained.” Adoli said the teachers’ conference should not be associated with the Sunday attack.
Kisauni police boss Julius Wanjohi assured the teachers of security but warned them to be wary of their neighbours’ activities. “Security starts with you. Whenever you see anything suspicious happening around you, feel free to report it immediately,” Wanjohi told the teachers. Silas Kibet, a school principal from the Rift Valley, said: ''Shying away from meetings due to threats is giving those issuing the threats an unnecessary strength.'' Beatrice Oduk from Nyanza said teachers know what to do in case of emergencies as they have been given hotlines they can call any case of any.