Union officials have betrayed us, teachers say

Teachers from Migori County have accused their top union officials of betraying them, saying that they warned the union against engaging in talks with the government after their bid for 50-60% salary increase was declared unconstitutional by the court.

Led by Migori Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Secretary, Mr. Kennedy Makasembo, the teachers expressed fear that the negotiation, which has been going on between the teachers union officials and the government, is likely to flop.

Makasembo said teachers have lost hope in the negotiation, adding that the duration given for the talks is almost coming to an end yet nothing substantial has been achieved.

He said teachers warned the body against getting into talks with the government, but unfortunately the union officials did not heed to the warning. For this reason, the teachers said they will blame the union if they fail to get their dues.

Makasembo also called on the KUPPET to move to the court to sue the government for deducting Ksh.3000 from every teacher to pay for the AON health insurance, saying that the deductions amount to contempt of court.

He said teachers will not be forced to subscribe to a health cover with the AON Company, further claiming that this is a ploy by the government to rob teachers of their hard earned money.

Makasembo said they are not even aware of the proprietors of the AON organization, yet they have been forced into the deal.

This sentiment comes barely a day after KNUT officials opposed the directive by the Teachers Services Commission (TSC) that head teachers and teachers are supposed to sign performance contracts starting January.

John Gitari Munyi, Embu Branch Secretary of KNUT said TSC have not had any discussions around the performance contracts it wants the teachers to sign.