KNUT sues TSC for contempt of court over teachers transfer, promotions

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) on Tuesday filed a contempt of court case against the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) over transfer and promotion of teachers.

In July this year, Judge Byram Ongaya directed TSC to undertake the transfer of teachers who are members but non-officials of KNUT in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Regulations for Teachers (CORT).

Through lawyer Hillary Sigei, KNUT says the list of union officials whose transfer had been set aside by the court have not been rerouted or retransferred to be within their geographical limits of representation as per the court order.

KNUT further argues that the orders have not been set aside or varied by any competent court and in force.

The commission now wants the court to intervene and punish TSC for not obeying the said orders.

Lawyer Paul Muite, representing KNUT, submitted that TSC’s intention is to kill the Wilson Sossion-led union, adding that the commission has gone rogue by refusing to deduct union dues for two months.

According to court papers filed in court, TSC has placed an advertisement in the dailies inviting applications from suitable candidates to fill the position of head teachers and deputy head teachers contrary to the provisions of the Code of Regulations of Teachers and the orders of the court.

“The contemnors has failed, neglected to implement the court orders of the court issued on 12th July 2019,” Muite submitted.

In a quick rejoinder, TSC said that they had a technical hitch that made them not to remit the money for two months.

“We intend to do so in the month of September, we are struggling to rectify that situation,” the court heard.

Teachers contribute 2 percent of their salaries to support union welfare.

KNUT collects about Ksh.1.6 billion per year with Ksh.135 million being collected monthly from 206,000 primary school teachers.