RUNDOWN
• Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), threaten to strike over low pay.
• KNUT issued demands to President William Ruto’s government which if not met they will organize an industrial strike.
• Other demands made by the union included; reinstatement of the teachers appeal tribunal and for the promotion criteria of teachers to focus on academic qualifications.
Teachers through the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), threaten to strike over low pay and challenging work conditions. KNUT issued demands to President William Ruto’s government which if not met they will organize an industrial strike.
Collins Oyuu KNUT Secretary General made this announcement, on Tuesday, December 13, during the annual union delegation conference in Kisumu.
Oyuu demanded that teacher’s basic salary across all job groups be increased by 60% and the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) of 2021-2025 be reviewed.
“The last CBA signed for 2017 -2021 put a lot of emphasis on the welfare of headteachers and their deputies. We now demand the welfare of all teachers to be put in consideration in the 2021-2025 CBA and every teacher to be awarded 60 per cent basic salary increased and teacher’s welfare to be looked after,” Oyuu demanded.
“The quality of life for teachers in this country has deteriorated due to poor pay, and we want the government to recognize us and be rewarded,” Oyuu added.
The union also advocated for delocalization program of teachers stating that it affects the family unit. It further announced that it will petition the Parliament to allocate Ksh4.5 billion for teachers to cater for teachers’ professional development induction.
“Teachers do not have enough finances to maintain themselves. We should, therefore, not be expected to pay for the professional development induction,” Oyuu stated.
Other demands made by the union included; reinstatement of the teachers appeal tribunal and for the promotion criteria of teachers to focus on academic qualifications.
Currently, teachers’ pay Ksh6,000 for the induction offered in select Kenyan universities.
By Irene Mutu
