What KUPPET and President Ruto Discussed at State House: Agenda and Outcomes.
Amid mounting concerns in the education sector, President William Ruto held a significant meeting with officials from the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) at State House, Nairobi.
The discussion came at a critical juncture as teachers voiced frustrations over the Teachers Service Commission’s (TSC) failure to remit union dues for three consecutive months.
The meeting featured prominent leaders, including Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, and a KUPPET delegation led by Chairman Omboko Milemba and Secretary General Akello Misori.
Agenda and Outcomes
Key Union Demands
KUPPET officials presented various pressing concerns about the education sector and teacher welfare. Mr. Akello Misori conveyed that they briefed the President on issues impacting the conditions and rights of teachers in public service.
He explained that the union sought presidential support for ongoing programs, notably negotiating a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for the 2025-2029 period.
Join Teachers Updates on Facebook
The union expressed appreciation for the historic hiring of 51,000 teachers in 2023. Initially engaged as interns, these teachers are now in permanent, pensionable roles.
Misori acknowledged TSC’s adherence to the September 5, 2024, Court Consent/Return-to-Work Formula, which covered commitments like:
- Full execution of the 2021-2025 CBA.
- Permanent employment of 46,000 Junior Secondary School teachers.
- Continuation of the Teachers Medical Scheme.
- Recruitment of 20,000 additional teachers.
- Career Progression Guidelines repeal.
- Promotion of 45,000 teachers within two months of the agreement.
Request for Enhanced Support
The union appealed for more funds to address specific issues, including promotions for 130,000 teachers who had stagnated in their careers, hiring additional teachers to ease shortages, and a review of housing, leave, and commuter allowances.
President Ruto reportedly assured the union that he valued engaging with stakeholders and asked KUPPET to collaborate with the government’s initiatives. He advised KUPPET to utilize dialogue at all levels of government and only resort to industrial action as a last option.
Government Priorities and Teacher Contributions
The President updated KUPPET on key national projects, such as the housing development initiative.
Teachers, as significant contributors under the Housing Levy established in 2023, play a crucial role. KUPPET officials later toured the Mukuru Housing Project, featuring 14,000 units, as part of this engagement.
The union is now considering avenues to help Nairobi teachers benefit from such housing schemes.
Crisis Over Union Dues
Despite these high-level discussions, the unresolved issue of union dues remained unaddressed. Teachers have expressed frustration over TSC’s failure to remit contributions, which has severely affected KUPPET’s operations nationwide.
As a result, KUPPET branches have sought assistance from teachers, politicians, and even well-wishers to keep their offices running.
Financial Struggles Across Counties
Branches in Kisumu, Homa Bay, and Nairobi are particularly hard-hit. Officials have described significant financial strains, such as unpaid loans and unfulfilled staff salaries.
For example, Moses Bomara, KUPPET Executive Secretary in Nairobi, criticized TSC for its actions, citing repossessions by banks and office rent arrears as consequences.
He claimed these challenges amounted to mistreatment and called the situation illegal.
Kisumu’s KUPPET branch took to WhatsApp groups for fundraising, with members contributing between Sh200 and Sh1,000. Executive Secretary Zablon Awange warned that the ongoing crisis seemed to target unions deliberately.
He noted that teachers in Kisumu faced a grim reality with unpaid office rents and staff salaries, while TSC continued to deduct dues from female teachers for the Kenya Women Teachers Association without their permission.
Homa Bay’s Financial Constraints
In Homa Bay, Executive Secretary Stephen Yogo detailed a membership of 3,508, where 1.8% of each member’s basic salary would typically fund union activities. However, without these funds, the branch struggles to complete a Sh4.8 million office construction project.
The office building, intended to generate rental income, remains unfinished due to financial constraints, forcing them to operate from a rented office that now has three months of unpaid rent.
ALSO READ: Math Teachers Protest Exclusion from TSC Recruitment
Yogo emphasized that KUPPET’s financial crisis adversely impacts their ability to assist teachers during emergencies, such as bereavements, which previously saw members receive Sh50,000 under the Burial Benevolent Fund.
The union now seeks political assistance, especially with an upcoming annual general meeting.
What KUPPET and President Ruto Discussed at State House: Agenda and Outcomes
