By Roy Hezron
The embattled Kenya National Teachers Pressure Group (KNTPG) Spokesperson Ms Martha Omollo has vowed to continue fighting for the rights of teachers despite her ‘forceful’ transfer from Nairobi to Trans-Nzoia.
Speaking to Education News most recently, Ms Omollo said the transfer will not in any way affect her quest for doing what is best for teachers since she was stronger than before and that she will continue condemning the medical cover for teachers between the Teachers Service Commission and Aon Minet.
She added that teachers are crying over poor services provided and the kind of facilities approved by the employer.
Ms Omollo, whose transfer came a day after Daily Nation in its Friday, November 12, 2021 edition (pg. 10) carried her story calling for the revocation of the medical scheme of the teachers’ medical insurance under Aon Minet, said KNTPG fills the vacuum left by teachers unions’ in fighting for the welfare of teachers.
“I have always done whatever I do away from school time. I have no reason whatsoever not to do what I do best for the teachers. I feel more rejuvenated than before. I am stronger and my story has caused ripples at TSC. This is just a confirmation that TSC and Aon Minet have colluded to make the insurance scheme a cash cow,” said Ms Omollo.
Ms Omollo wondered why a teacher would lose her baby because of delayed approval by the insurer.
“The union officials feel threatened by an alternative voice. TSC fears I am exposing the rot at the headquarters regarding Aon. Teachers are suffering yet they fear coming out for fear of being intimidated, getting transferred or even being interdicted,” noted Ms Omollo.
Ms Omollo stated that she read malice in her transfer since it happened just within a day.
“I see malice in it. After the publication of my story, I received a call from Nairobi TSC County Director through the head teacher at around 9: 30 am. She castigated me, reprimanded me and shouted at me. I told her when she cared to listen that the same way she was not ready to listen to me is the same way nobody is listening to teachers when they raise issues affecting them,” said Ms Omollo.
According to Ms Omollo, the transfer letter was physically brought to her by an officer from the TSC headquarters and a release letter also issued even before she was asked to hand over.
“Later in the day at around 4pm, the officer from TSC headquarters who identified herself as Ngina Mathenge accompanied by Njiru and Embakasi TSC Sub County Director Mr Peter Kangwana came to school and I was summoned to the headteacher’s office. The transfer letter was handed to me. The head teacher must have been aware of what was going on because he had written a release letter which was also given to me.” said Ms Omollo.
Ms Omollo revealed that when she asked about the reason for her transfer, she was told that TSC doesn’t owe her any explanation and that her transfer should be treated as a normal.
She further asked for disturbance allowance and was told that it will definitely be processed.
According to Ms. Omollo, about 15 teachers were affected by the transfers.
According to the letter signed by Mr Fredrick Mwaniki on behalf of the Commission’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Nancy Macharia and dated November 12, 2021; Ms Omollo was directed to report to the Trans Nzoia TSC County Director by Monday, November 15, 2021.
“The commission has decided that you be transferred from Nairobi to Trans Nzoia County with effect from November 15 to teach all subjects,” reads the letter in part.
Mr. Salvin Munene, the Eastern region representative in the group, told Education News said that they read malice in the manner and timing of Ms Omollo’s transfer.
He added that as long as Ms Omollo was within the country, their fight for the formation of an all-inclusive union will continue.
‘We have currently shelved our plans in order to seek a legal revocation of Ms Omollo’s transfer,’ he stated
He hinted that they had organized a peaceful demonstration against the Unions and AON Minet because of how teachers were being mistreated but the demonstration never materialized due to the transfer disruptions.
Munene was also affected by transfer from his Embu station to Machakos.
“We are illegally confined in KNUT and KUPPET. We are held hostage in these so called unions. We want to be allowed to form our own union. A union of the teacher by the teacher!” stated Munene.
