A TEACHER'S DIARY : Headteacher lands in trouble

Other than being the deputy HM of this school, I am very resourceful to Mwisho wa Lami Primary School in various ways. As you know, every year, the poor students of this school struggle with getting the basics required for KCPE exams such as geometrical sets, rulers and clipboards.

We have been trying to get help from well-wishers but have never been successful. Two years ago, we approached Mr Juma, a lawyer who has unsuccessfully been contesting to be MP. Juma promised to help but he never showed up.

Tired with politicians and their false promises, early this year I told my brother Pius who promised to talk to his friends and see how they could help us.

For once, Pius did not disappoint. Early last month, he visited our school and announced that they were raising funds to ensure that candidates are comfortable during the exam period.“The geometrical sets are cheaper in Nairobi so we will buy and deliver them if this is OK with you,” Pius said.

“We have a supplier who supplies us with Knec approved sets and cardboard,” said Bensouda, the HM. “Please bring the money and we will buy them.” Soon after, I noticed that Bensouda wanted to talk to Pius alone. She went with him to her office and they only left after she was sure that I was in class.

She kept asking me for his thelephone number, but I gave her a number that I knew would be difficult to reach Pius.

Return after exam

“When is Pius sending the money?” she kept asking me. I reminded Pius and a few days later, he sent me Sh10,000.

“This is what we have raised with my friends. Use the money for something else once you are done with KCPE purchases,” he said.

I informed the HM that Pius had sent me money and that I would be proceeding to buy the sets. Usually, Bensouda takes hours to respond to my SMS but on that day, she called back immediately.

“I will be coming for the money this afternoon,” she said. “We have a cheap supplier who is supplying schools with Knec-approved sets.”

She said that the supplier would be at the county headquarters the next day. I had no option but to give her the money.

The next day, Bensouda came to school unusually early. Shortly after Juma, the perennial elections loser, came to see her. They sat in her office for long and left together.

At midday Juma and Pius arrived. The HM greeted them and they went directly to her office. I joined them but the look on Bensouda’s face clearly indicated that I was not needed so I returned to my office. There were only two other teachers and immediately after the students were done with the last pater, Bensouda asked them to congregate in one classroom.

She came to address them, accompanied by Juma and Pius. After greeting them, and congratulating them for completing primary school I welcomed the HM.

Difficult conversation

“Today we have two visitors who will greet us,” she said, and welcomed Juma and Pius. For some reason, Bensouda sounded uneasy.

“Good afternoon everyone,” said Juma. “Can everyone raise up the geometrical set that I bought them?” he asked. Only a few raised the set up. Others did not. He asked one of the pupils who had not raised his hand and the pupil said he had not been given any by the school.

“You proceed, I will explain,” said Bensouda. When his turn came, Pius just greeted the students and sat down.

Shortly afterwards, Juma and Pius left the school. You could tell they were not happy. Pius later said that was the last donation he will ever make. to the school. “Unless there is a new HM, I will never help that school again,” he said.