A TEACHER'S DIARY : Kuya incites teachers to boycott preps over pay

For the idle ones who have been closely following events in Mwisho wa Lami, you will be aware that Kuya, my nemesis, has been missing in action for a few weeks. It all started with the teachers’ strike. To save a shilling and make another extra shilling, he took his motorcycle from Nyayo and started running it himself.

Although Nyayo told everyone who mattered that Kuya could not get as many customers per day as he (Nyayo) got, Kuya told us that even with the few customers, he was making more money than Nyayo was declaring. Kuya continued doing this even after the strike ended.

Things had been smooth in his absence, as teachers were easily taking my instructions without raising any questions. There was no one to discourage them from following my instructions. And indeed, in the last few weeks that Kuya has been away, I achieved quite a lot. Classes were taking place smoothly and remedial classes going on uninterrupted. The schemes of work and record of work documents were being filled diligently.

Until last Wednesday. Out of nowhere, Kuya arrived in school.

“Welcome Kuya, we missed you,” said Madam Ruth who is close to Kuya as they were college mates.

“Happy to be back,” said Kuya. “Hoping things are better than I left them.”

“You wish,” said Madam Ruth “We wish you were around.”

During tea time, colleagues tried to prod him to explain what had happened but getting details from him was like getting water from a stone. “If you want to know the real Kenya, fanya makosa. The last few weeks have brought me face to face with a Kenya that I did not know existed.”

Hot debate

“Are you still being looked for?” asked Oscar? “I know of a policemen who can help you.”

“Don’t worry, I killed that story and it cannot resurrect,” answered Kuya. “But I lost trust in any police officer. No officer can assist you for free, even if he is your brother.”

“So what happened?” asked Madam Nzomo. I knew that if it was Nzomo asking, Kuya would answer as he always had some undeclared interest in her, and could never let her down.

“We managed to prove that I was not on the wrong,” he said.

“Do you have your boda boda back?” asked Erick, whose motorcycle was impounded a few months ago and has never been returned, yet he continues to repay the loan.

“Yes and it’s already on the road. This is Kenya.”

After tea, all teachers went to class. I noticed only Kuya remained in the staffroom and I summoned him to my office. He took some time — about half an hour, then came.

“Yes Dre,” he said when he arrived.

“According to the timetable, where should you be?” I asked him.

“Dre you will not start teaching me my work,” he said. “I have been teaching for more than 10 years and no one can start teaching me my work.”

“I also have been teaching for long and I know what I am asking,” I said.

“Just because I am not in class does not mean that I am not teaching,” he answered. “Go ask the students, I already gave them work that they are am doing.”

“Can I see your schemes of work?” I asked him.

“I am not on Teaching Practice Dre, so don’t try to intimidate me,” he said. “

He then left my office. At lunchtime, I delayed to go to the staffroom. Lunch was ugali and sukuma so there was no need for any hurry. The teachers were in a heated debate when I arrived. The debate had been started by Kuya.