A brewing dispute among major teachers’ unions has heightened tensions as a nationwide strike looms.
The conflict involves the Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET), the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), and the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT).
The looming strike, set to commence on Monday, August 26, 2024, coincides with the reopening of schools across the country.
On Sunday, August 25, 2024, KUSNET Secretary General James Torome held a press conference to publicly criticize KNUT and KUPPET.
Torome accused the two unions of backtracking on a previously agreed-upon plan.
According to him, KUSNET, KNUT, and KUPPET had initially planned a joint press conference to instruct their members to return to work on Monday.
However, Torome claims KNUT and KUPPET withdrew from this arrangement at the last moment.
Torome’s remarks reflected his frustration with the turn of events.
“We want to condemn and ask our brothers in KNUT and KUPPET to come to and explain what transpired between the boardroom where the prayers were conducted and we were to go and address the press,” he said.
“KUSNET is not subordinate to any union. We cannot change our mind at the doorstep of going to address the press.”
He further noted that the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) had given assurances that it would address the unions’ concerns during a meeting held the previous week.
“The employer Teachers Service Commission gave an assurity that teachers are going to be paid with the arrears backdated to 1st July 2024,” Torome stated.
Torome also accused KNUT and KUPPET of pursuing hidden agendas despite TSC’s commitment to addressing their grievances.
“So all what they are pushing through the social media and any platform, let them continue. If they are not able to seduce a womän I will give him my advisory, I will even pay for them to be educated on labour matter,” he added.
In his comments, Torome highlighted his extensive experience leading KUSNET and contrasted it with the frequent changes in leadership within KNUT and KUPPET.
“I have been in the labour matter longer than you or you. Okuta left me, Sossion went you will also go and leave KUSNET alone,” he said.
“All the gains we have brought to the special education teachers in this country, where have they been for all that time,” he added.
Torome emphasized his commitment to maintaining a close relationship with TSC as long as it benefits his members.
“I will keep closer to the employer as long as my members are benefiting from it. Let them keep off and keep off completely from the affairs of Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers,” he declared.
Despite the turmoil, KUSNET has instructed its members to report to work on August 29, signalling a potential fracture among the unions regarding the strike action.
The TSC had invited KNUT, KUPPET, and KUSNET for a crucial meeting on August 21, 2024, in an attempt to avert the impending strike, but the discord among the unions suggests ongoing challenges in reaching a resolution.
