KNUT SG Collins Oyuu Steps In to Avert Teachers’ Strike in North Rift
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has taken decisive action to prevent a looming crisis in the education sector within the North Rift region following an initial threat of industrial action by teachers.
On Thursday, February 6, KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu assured educators in the North Rift that their concerns, particularly regarding medical coverage, would be addressed.
His reassurance followed mounting frustration among teachers, who had issued a 24-hour ultimatum to their employer, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), demanding action or else they would initiate a strike.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) highlighted that teachers had encountered difficulties in accessing medical care. This issue arose after their insurance provider significantly reduced the number of hospitals available to them.
Teachers further expressed their frustration, pointing out that the remaining healthcare facilities lacked essential medical equipment and failed to meet the standards of Level 4 and Level 5 hospitals. This situation, they noted, put their health at serious risk.
Acknowledging the legitimacy of the teachers’ grievances, Oyuu provided assurances that their medical cover had been reinstated. He noted that earlier in the day, several hospitals had been removed from the list of covered facilities, leaving teachers without access to proper medical services.
Additionally, he confirmed that institutions such as Lifecare, Top Hill, and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital had been reinstated, allowing teachers direct access to quality healthcare.
Oyuu emphasized that no issue affecting teachers would be ignored. He stated that from the start of discussions in the morning, the goal had been to ensure all concerns were comprehensively addressed. The prolonged negotiations throughout the day, he explained, were a demonstration of their commitment to securing better services for teachers.
Teachers’ Protest and Wider Education Sector Issues
His remarks came in the wake of protests by hundreds of teachers, led by representatives from KNUT and KUPPET, who had marched to Minet’s North Rift offices in Eldoret. Their demand was for an immediate resolution to the healthcare crisis, which had particularly affected those with chronic illnesses.
The education sector in Kenya has been plagued by repeated threats of industrial action from both teachers and learners in recent months.
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Although the North Rift situation appears to have been addressed, another crisis looms, as Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers in Nyamira County are also planning to strike over salary underpayment.
Beyond medical cover issues, teachers have also raised concerns about delayed salaries. They claim their earnings often fall below the recommended remuneration set by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, further fueling discontent among educators.
KNUT SG Collins Oyuu Steps In to Avert Teachers’ Strike in North Rift
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