A protest by members of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) in Kisumu East ended in chaos on Monday after angry residents attacked the demonstrators with stones and canes.
The union officials and teachers, led by KUPPET Kisumu Executive Secretary Zablon Awange, had arrived at Kindu Secondary School to denounce a recent incident involving Kisumu East MP Shakeel Shabir. The lawmaker was caught on video verbally berating a teacher at the same school over academic performance issues.
What began as a peaceful show of solidarity quickly turned hostile when members of the public, reportedly incensed by the union’s presence, began pelting the group’s branded bus with stones. Panic ensued as teachers attempted to disembark, only to be met with physical assaults.
Several teachers sustained injuries in the melee, while others fled into the surrounding bushes or sought shelter within the school compound. The group remained trapped for a period, with some alleging they were held hostage as tensions escalated.
Police officers from the nearby Gita Police Station were called in to disperse the angry crowd and restore calm. No arrests had been confirmed by the time of reporting.
By Newsmedia