KNUT, KUPPET Divided Over Teachers' Strike

Teacher's representatives; Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) have taken different positions on the teachers' strike that was/is set to begin on Monday.

KNUT Secretary General, Collins Oyuu (left) consults with his KUPPET counterpart, Akello Misori during a meeting with TSC.

Photo by The Standard Kenya

The two unions had issued strike notices with similar demands to the employer TSC earlier in the month. Top on the list, was the implementation of second phase of the 2021-25 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). A series of meetings were held to avert the crisis occasioned by the probable industrial action. The last-gasp talks at the Kenya School of Government yielded partial fruits as the employer agreed to honor the CBA pact.

Although the fate of the other demands remained vague, TSC, in its press release, noted that the unions had agreed to withdraw the strike notices after consulting their internal organs. But in a joint presser, afterwards, the unions maintained that the strike notices stand.

After holding their respective NECs meetings, the unity dissipated. KNUT on one hand, released a press statement in which it effectively withdrew the strike notice.

"NEC having considered all options in the developments of these matters and the level of commitment by both the government, the employer (TSC) and the Teachers' position in driving the Education Agenda has today directed the Secretary General to withdraw the strike notice ", read the final parts of the three-paged statement.

" We direct our teachers to resume duty effective Monday, 26th August, 2024," finalised the statement.

KUPPET, on the other hand, maintained that the strike notice remains in force and their members will withdraw services as from midnight of 26th Monday August , 2024

" TSC, having only considered one item among the nine presented, this council voted that the strike continues," KUPPET Secretary General, Akello Misori assertively told the media while flanked by the NEC members.

The unions had, in unison, called for the strike but today's developments means they go separate ways in the fight for teacher's welfare.

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