Kenya Union and Post Primary Education (KUPPET) Kisii branch Assistant Treasuer Jentrix Ogolla has asked the union Secretary General Akello Misori to vacate office immediately over “failure to advocate for teachers’ rights”.
Speaking to Education News this morning, Ogolla said that teachers require a true Unionist who can stand with them and advocate for their rights without fear or favour.
Ogolla said that currently, teachers are disappointed by the union’s senior officials for wasting their time after prematurely calling off the teachers’ strike which was about to bear positive fruits.
“We want Akello Misori to pack his things and leave so we can elect a true Unionist who cannot be bought by the government at the expense of thousands of teachers countrywide,” she said.
“The strike was successful, even President Ruto, Education CS and TSC were ready to address all issues raised by KUPPET but Misori in his individual capacity decided to prematurely call off the strike,” she added.
Ogolla pointed out that Misori neither consulted nor informed the National Governing Council (NGC) as required.
“Akello Misori is not a decision maker, but a spokesperson. He should only announce NGC recommendations, not his personal decision. He has let down thousands of Kenyan teachers who put their hope and trust in the union,” she noted.
She lamented that said stagnation has been a thorn in the flesh of teachers who have remained in one job group for decades, in addition to employment of JSS teachers on permanent and pensionable terms.
“JSS teachers should be employed permanently. The current economic status is very harsh and we can only expect them to teach well if their job security is assured,” said Ogolla.
The unionist said another issue that should be addressed by the government is the medical scheme for teachers, saying that they cannot teach effectively if their medical welfare is not being taken care of.
By Peter Otuoro
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