Author: Hezron Rooy

NYS officers to be trained on use of firearms President William Ruto has announced an initiative to incorporate basic firearms training for National Youth Service (NYS) officers. The President emphasized that this move is crucial to ensuring the officers are well-prepared to respond effectively to national security needs. To implement this plan, he directed the Cabinet Secretaries for Interior, Defense, and Public Service to initiate discussions immediately. According to Ruto, the Minister responsible for NYS, in consultation with the Ministries of Defense and Interior, should spearhead the integration of firearms training into the existing paramilitary curriculum for NYS recruits. Prioritizing…

KUPPET Urge Govt to Address Teachers’ Concerns as Nationwide Strike Commences Post-primary school teachers across Kenya initiated a nationwide strike on Monday, following the government’s failure to address their longstanding grievances. The strike, which started on the first day of the third term, saw teachers abstaining from classrooms and taking to the streets in protest. Members of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) followed through on their threat to strike as the clock struck midnight. The union is demanding that the government address their concerns before they return to work. Teachers from various regions, including Busia, Baringo, Machakos,…

NYS to Oversee Youths in Climate Works Mtaani Program The Climate Works Mtaani program, an initiative to enhance Kenya’s efforts in climate change response and environmental sustainability, has assigned the National Youth Service (NYS) the role of overseeing the youth recruited. During the 88th NYS Pass-Out Parade in Gilgil, President William Ruto highlighted the significance of the program, which is part of Kenya’s strategy to achieve the goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032. The President indicated that the NYS would supervise the newly recruited youths under the Climate Works Mtaani initiative, which aims to engage more young people…

Low Turnout in Primary Schools Despite KNUT Teachers Strike Withdrawal On the first day of the third term, most primary schools reported a significantly low turnout of learners, even though the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) had called off its strike. A major factor contributing to this was the confusion among parents regarding whether the teachers belonged to Knut or the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet), with many unable to distinguish between the two unions. Situation Across Different Schools in Homa Bay At Lake Primary School, headteacher Zablon Owala noted that despite all 35 teachers arriving…

KUPPET Teachers Warn School Principals Urge Parents to Support Strike The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has issued a stern warning to school principals, stating that if the strike fails because principals keep schools open and engage other teachers to cover for those on strike, the principals will be held fully responsible. KUPPET pointed out that in previous negotiations with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), principals have benefited more than ordinary teachers. Therefore, they called on principals to cooperate with the strike efforts by ensuring that schools remain closed and that no learning takes place, to increase the…

KCSE Exams in Limbo as Secondary Teachers Proceed with Strike The basic education sector is in a state of uncertainty as secondary school teachers begin an industrial strike, just as primary school teachers return to class for the third term. This simultaneous event raises significant concerns about the impact on this year’s national exams, particularly the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams. The industrial action by secondary school teachers comes at a critical time when students should be gearing up for the KCSE exams. The strike threatens to paralyze teaching and learning, affecting 965,501 candidates who are just nine…

Government in Talks with Universities to Lower Tuition Costs The government is working to reduce university fees as it faces widespread criticism over the new funding model. The Ministry of Education has initiated discussions with university vice chancellors to reconsider and potentially lower the costs of academic programs. The new funding model allowed universities to set their program costs in 2023. Although the government provides financial aid through scholarships and loans, the high costs of these programs have sparked criticism from parents, students, and politicians. Geoffrey Monari, CEO of the Universities Fund, announced that negotiations with vice chancellors have begun…

Inside Knut’s Decision to Halt Teachers’ Strike: Real Reasons The recent appointment of a conciliator in the ongoing dispute between the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) significantly altered the dynamics, affecting the union’s stance on the teachers’ strike. This strike marked the first under President William Ruto’s administration and saw Knut diverge from the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet). Behind the scenes, the Ministry of Labour intervened by appointing Mr. Richard Litaba, a senior officer, last Friday. This move disrupted Knut’s strike plans. Ms. M. Muli, the Industrial Relations Officer at…

TSC to Confirm 46,000 JSS teachers in January 2025 – CS Mbadi Teachers across Kenya received positive news as the National Treasury and Economic Planning Cabinet Secretary (CS) John Mbadi confirmed that the government has allocated funds to hire Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers on permanent terms. This announcement dispels earlier concerns and rumors to the contrary, and Mbadi expressed regret for any anxiety caused by previous statements. The Ministry of National Treasury and Economic Planning clarified that beginning in January 2025, the government will employ JSS teachers on permanent and pensionable terms. This move aims to provide job security…

UASU Strike Begins at Moi University Over 2017 CBA and Salaries Delay The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) has declared a comprehensive strike by its members at Moi University, commencing on Monday, August 26. This decision follows the institution’s failure to implement the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and delays in salary payments, among other grievances. According to UASU branch secretary Ojuki Nyabuta, the strike was sanctioned following a consultative meeting with national officials on Monday, which upheld the strike notice issued on August 19. The strike was launched at the College of Health Sciences in Eldoret and will continue…