The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), has opposed a proposal by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission to abolish hardship allowances for public servants working in the volatile Kerio Valley.
Branch Executive Secretary John Cheberi termed the move as unacceptable and insensitive, warning that teachers would be forced to down their tools if the decision is implemented.
“This is the only money that keeps teachers going in this region. Scrapping hardship allowances is not just unfair — it is a betrayal,” said Cheberi.
Addressing the press, he noted that teachers in Kerio Valley continue to face harsh working conditions, including insecurity, poor infrastructure, and displacement due to frequent clashes.
“Some of these teachers live in fear every day, yet they still show up in class. This allowance is not a luxury — it’s a lifeline,” he added.
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Marakwet West MP Kipchumba Toroitich also threw his weight behind the teachers, vowing to stand with them in defending the allowances.
“SRC must understand the unique realities of Kerio Valley. Removing hardship allowances would not only demoralize public servants but also worsen the teacher shortage in this region,” said Toroitich.
He called on SRC to reconsider its position and instead conduct a ground assessment before making such policy changes.
“We cannot compare Kerio Valley to urban centres like Nairobi. The conditions here are totally different,” he added.
KNUT has warned that unless the proposal is dropped, they will mobilize teachers for industrial action, a move that could severely disrupt learning in already marginalized areas.
The Kerio Valley region has long been classified as a hardship zone due to recurring insecurity, cattle rustling, and difficult terrain. Public servants, especially teachers and healthcare workers, rely on the allowance to sustain their livelihoods in the high-risk areas.
By Kimutai Langat
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