The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has accused the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) of employing ‘dirty tricks’ to prolong the ongoing teachers’ strike.
According to KUPPET, these tactics are designed to punish the union and derail efforts to resolve the standoff.
In a press statement dated August 29, KUPPET Secretary General Akelo Misori expressed deep concern over TSC’s handling of the situation, highlighting that the Commission had earlier reached out to the union proposing a meeting to resolve the stalemate.
However, Misori claims that their response was met with deceit, as their letter requesting a meeting was circulated on social media even before they received an official response from the TSC.
“In good faith, we wrote to the Commission seeking a meeting as advised by them. To our utter shock, the letter was circulated on social media even before the Commission responded to it. Shortly afterwards, the Commission sent us a response that was clearly calculated to harden the union’s position and prolong the strike. The letter, which was also splashed on social media before we received it, instructed us to call off the strike before engaging the Commission,” said Misori in the statement.
The union pointed out that despite the government’s recent efforts to address some of the teachers’ demands, including the release of funds for the Teachers Medical Scheme and commitments to employ additional teachers, the TSC has chosen an adversarial approach.
The union also expressed disappointment over TSC’s refusal to engage in a return-to-work formula proposed by the Cabinet Secretary for Labour, Dr. Alfred Mutua, and supported by other top government officials. Instead, the TSC has opted for litigation, which KUPPET believes is intended to undermine the union and prolong the strike.
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Misori further revealed that KUPPET leaders have faced harassment and intimidation by the police, citing incidents involving the union’s Executive Secretaries in Kakamega and Makueni, who were arrested and assaulted while carrying out their duties.
“As of this briefing, the Commission through its agents in the counties, are misusing the police to harass KUPPET leaders. The union’s Executive Secretary for Kakamega, Mr. Harrison Otota, was arrested today on trumped up charges. The KUPPET Executive Secretary for Makueni, Mr. Justus Kimeu, was assaulted and his car damaged while leading a union procession,” he pointed out.
Despite the challenges, KUPPET has reaffirmed its commitment to negotiating an end to the strike but insists that it will not do so under duress.
“KUPPET is fighting for posterity. We urge all Kenyans of goodwill including parents and all stakeholders in education to support the union’s cause. The war continues.” He declared.
By Frank Mugwe
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