Uasin Gishu: Principal Allegedly Installs Audio Surveillance in Staffroom to Eavesdrop on Teachers

• Kapsaos Secondary School principal, Beninah Soi, has been accused of installing audio surveillance in the staffroom to ostensibly eavesdrop on teachers
• KUPPET Uasin Gishu chairman, Bellat Sosthen told TUKO.co.ke that the principal has a history of abusing her authority
• Through their executive secretary Elijah Maiyo, the county’s union filed a complaint with TSC calling the surveillance a violation of teachers' rights

The principal of Kapsaos Secondary School is under fire for allegedly installing audio surveillance in the staffroom, reportedly to eavesdrop on teachers.

The Uasin Gishu chairman of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), Bellat Sosthen, told TUKO.co.ke that they have received a series of complaints from teachers at the school regarding the conduct of the principal, Beninah Soi.

“This is not the first time we are calling her out for abusing her authority. We have submitted a notice to the relevant authorities, including the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner. We intend to expose her misconduct. Just last month, she recommended the transfer of several teachers, including some who were on maternity leave. She treats her staff in a brutal manner,” stated Bellat.

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Following the recent complaint about the installation of surveillance equipment in the staffroom, the union leadership submitted a letter to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) county director outlining their concerns.

In the letter, Executive Secretary Elijah Kimeli Maiyo stated that the installation of an audio surveillance system in the staffroom was a violation of the teachers’ right to privacy, as protected under Article 31 of the Constitution of Kenya.

He therefore demanded that the principal immediately remove the surveillance equipment, among other actions.

“I write to demand an investigation into the CCTV tendering process, and whether it was indeed installed by the principal’s son, Mr Albert Soi, who has reportedly been paid handsomely. We are also demanding the refund of all incidental expenses related to the installation, so that those funds can support academic programmes in the school,” noted Maiyo.

He further issued a 10-day notice for the union’s demands to be met, failing which the union would take further action.

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“Kindly take note: if, by any chance, the audio surveillance is still in place come Monday, 9 June 2025, unspecified alternative measures will be undertaken to have it removed,” he said.

Maiyo also urged Beninah to focus her time, energy, and resources on priority areas that would help restore student enrolment at the school, which he claimed has dropped from 700 to 150 students in just two years.

Has Kapsaos principal responded to KUPPET's demands?

According to the county’s KUPPET chairman, Beninah has not taken any action since receiving the union’s notice, allegedly claiming she is “untouchable.”

“We have received information that she has been bragging that nothing will happen to her. She has made no effort to contact us,” said Bellat.

He added that the union would not allow her to run the school into the ground, emphasising that the institution belongs to the community.

He claimed that the principal appears indifferent, as she is close to retirement.

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“We will not allow her to frustrate teachers any longer. We have raised complaints repeatedly, but she does not seem to care. We will now issue her an ultimatum and pursue union channels to ensure she retires in the public interest,” he said.

KUPPET seeks to exorcise demons from principal's office

Previously, TUKO.co.ke reported that Maiyo wrote a letter to former TSC boss Nancy Macharia, requesting permission to exorcise demons from the office of a school principal in Uasin Gishu county.

Alternatively, he urged the TSC to consider transferring the principal and to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations of a spiritual attack at the institution.

Maiyo also advised teachers to avoid interacting with the principal, and instead to read the Bible, meditate, and engage in constant prayer.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke