KUPPET Meet President Ruto and DP Kindiki Amid Financial Crisis and Teacher Welfare Concerns.
Just a day after being sworn in, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki joined President William Ruto at State House for a key meeting with the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET).
His active engagement marked the beginning of a busy tenure in the Kenya Kwanza Administration.
Kindiki’s assumption of office comes as the role of Deputy President continues to evolve under President Ruto’s leadership.
He faces the challenge of distinguishing himself from his predecessor, who was often criticized for pursuing personal political goals over national priorities. Kindiki has pledged to serve the Kenyan people with integrity, fairness, and without favoritism or fear.
The KUPPET leadership engaged with President William Ruto to address urgent issues affecting teachers and the union’s operations.
The meeting, held at State House Nairobi, involved discussions on teacher welfare, working conditions, and financial challenges impacting KUPPET branches.
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KUPPET’s Secretary General, Akelo Misori, and National Chairman, Omboko Milemba, led the discussions, emphasizing the union’s need for support in several ongoing initiatives.
Misori later released a statement highlighting that the National Executive Board (NEB) discussed critical matters in the education sector, including current financial difficulties and the union’s ongoing programs.
Appeal for Support and CBA Negotiations
The union sought the President’s backing for KUPPET’s initiatives, specifically the negotiation of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for the 2025-2029 period.
Misori acknowledged the Teachers Service Commission’s (TSC) recent efforts under the Court Consent signed in September 2024, which resulted in several positive outcomes for teachers, including:
- Full implementation of the 2021-2025 CBA.
- Confirmation of 46,000 Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers to permanent, pensionable positions.
- Improvements to the Teachers’ Medical Scheme.
- Employment of 20,000 new teachers.
- Repeal of the Career Progression Guidelines.
- Promotion of 45,000 teachers within two months of signing the agreement.
KUPPET leaders also appealed to President Ruto for additional funds for TSC to address crucial issues.
These included the promotion of 130,000 teachers currently facing career stagnation, addressing teacher shortages, and reviewing allowances related to housing, leave, and commuter expenses.
The President assured the union of his continued partnership and acknowledged KUPPET’s role in supporting the government’s educational goals.
Government’s Housing Development Project
President Ruto briefed KUPPET on the government’s housing development initiatives, including the Mukuru Housing Project, where teachers are significant contributors through the Housing Levy.
Misori stated that NEB members visited the Mukuru site, which is part of a larger project involving 14,000 housing units across 140 sites nationwide. KUPPET is exploring opportunities for Nairobi teachers to benefit from this housing initiative.
The discussion also touched on the ongoing cash crisis affecting KUPPET branches. TSC’s halt on union dues deductions since August has left branches struggling to meet rent obligations, pay staff salaries, and support the Burial Benevolent Fund (BBF), which provides essential financial aid to teachers.
Misori attributed this standoff to the union’s decision to proceed with a strike in August, despite the employer partially meeting their demands—a move that KUPPET continued even after the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) withdrew.
Threat of KCSE Boycott
As the meeting concluded, KUPPET reiterated a possible boycott of this year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) marking unless the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) improves the pay package for teachers.
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Misori’s statement reflected KUPPET’s stance on ensuring fair compensation for teachers involved in the examination process.
The meeting highlighted the union’s ongoing concerns regarding teacher welfare, financial challenges, and upcoming education sector priorities.
KUPPET remains committed to advocating for better working conditions and fair treatment of its members, while the union awaits further support from the government and TSC.
KUPPET Meet President Ruto and DP Kindiki Amid Financial Crisis and Teacher Welfare Concerns.
