Senate turns heat on Education Ministry, TSC over laxity in taming predatory teachers

Parliament has turned its focus on the Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission, accusing both institutions of laxity in enforcing safeguards to protect students from predatory teachers.

This comes amid a national uproar over the conduct of Peter Ayiro, a senior teacher and long-time Christian Union patron at Alliance Girls High School, who has been accused of sexually abusing students over an extended period.

Lawmakers say the disturbing revelations lift the lid on what could be a wider pattern of systemic failures in checking professional and ethical conduct within schools.

“There may be widespread failures in enforcing ethical boundaries between teachers and students in our learning institutions,” nominated Senator Hamida Kibwana said.

Kibwana said the TSC, which is mandated to uphold discipline and professional conduct in schools, appears to have either failed to act or deliberately turned a blind eye.

“This points to a deeper, more entrenched systemic issue,” she added.

The senators called for an urgent review of TSC’s internal safeguards, reporting structures and whistleblower protections to better handle cases of misconduct in schools.

“The Ministry of Education must audit safeguarding mechanisms in public boarding schools—particularly girls’ schools—and establish mandatory codes of conduct governing teacher-student relationships,” Kibwana said.

Ayiro is accused of exploiting his trusted position as both teacher and spiritual mentor to manipulate vulnerable teenage girls, some reportedly as young as 13.

“Girls’ boarding schools are meant to be safe spaces for learning and character formation, yet this case reveals a pattern of grooming and predatory behaviour that appears to have been institutionally tolerated or overlooked,” Kibwana added.

Several testimonies from former students and teachers describe Ayiro’s use of religious mentorship, emotional manipulation, selective friendships, favours and isolation tactics to exert control over students—leaving many with long-lasting trauma, guilt and confusion.

“The exposé has brought to public attention disturbing accounts detailing a pattern of grooming and inappropriate conduct, enabled by unchecked influence, spiritual authority and a culture of silence,” Kibwana said.

Senators expressed alarm over what they described as repeated institutional failures that allowed the alleged misconduct to go unpunished.

It emerged that school administrators, teachers and even chaplains had raised red flags over the years, but no formal investigations or disciplinary action were ever taken.

“Despite multiple principals having served at the school over this period and despite consistent rumours, concerns and warnings, Mr Ayiro retained his position and influence,” said Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei.

The senators further warned that similar predatory behaviour could be present in other schools, hidden behind a wall of silence, shame and fear.

“The Senate must now lead by example in demanding transparency, justice and a national safeguarding framework that puts the welfare of students above the reputation of institutions or individuals,” Cherargei said.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

Education PS Julius Bitok stated that the ministry will not tolerate any kind of harassment in schools. The PS said all cases of bad behaviour meted to learners while they are in school would not be tolerated. He said those who will be found with contemptuous behaviour will be made to face full force of the law. PS was responding to an alleged sexual harassment reported in Alliance Girls’ High School.