PARENTS DEMONSTRATING.
JANE MUGAMBI 9TH JAN 2011.
More than three hundred parents from St James Kiaritha secondary school in Kirinyaga central district, Kirinyaga county today held a demonstration to reject the posting of a headteacher Mr Stephen Murithi Njoka to the school alleging that he is a non-performer,arrogant and has been accused of sex scandals with students in the schools he has taught previously.

Carrying twigs and placards and chanting anti Muriithi slogan the parents held a meeting at the school compound where they were joined by area member of parliament Joseph Gachoki Gitari who joined the parents in their resolve to reject the headteacher.

The Mp later led the parents in a procession to the area DC's ofice where they presented their memorandum to the Dc Mr Patrick Muli and area district education officer Daniel Kariuki.

Addressing the irate parents gitari said that teachers from good performing schools in Kirinyaga county are being transferred to other counties and replacing them with rejects. "This is not a training or a dumping site." added gitari.

The parents warned the new principal against ever setting foot in the school vowing to lynch him if he forcefully takes over the management of the school.

Gitari accused the central provincial director of education saying that he is behind the problems currently being experienced in secondary schools in the county and called on the minister for education to take action and transfer him from the province. "Any time a teacher thrives in Kirinyaga he is transferred." added gitari.

The Mp challenged the PDE to come out clear and give parents of kiaritha secondary school ten good reason why that rejected principal should come to kirinyaga terming him "big headed". "I am reading politics and malice in this issue."

Others who addressed the parents were KNUT executive Secretary Kirinyaga branch Mr Harrison Gichira who said that the teacher in question has messed other schools he has managed citing a case where he was forcefully ejected from kathaka secondary school after running down the institution.

Gichira added that Kiaritha is the best day school in the region and therefore requires a headteacher who is equal to the task. We are not refusing any principal to come here but for Mr stephen Muriithi NO." added gichira.

The area district commissioner Patrick Muli promised to urgently look into the issue but called for calm as the issue is resolved once and for all.

Muli urged the parents to continue supporting learning in the institution saying that all the other teachers are intact and the transfer issue should not disrupt learning in the school.

Others who were present during the demonstration were kerugoya/utus mayor Peter karani and former cabinet minister James Njiru.
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