- KICOWU has asked the Teachers Service Commission to halt the conversion of secretariat staff from contract to permanent terms.
- The union argues the rollout was initiated without union involvement, public participation, or stakeholder engagement, falling short of constitutional requirements.
- KICOWU insists members should be allowed to remain on contracts or voluntarily transition, with no reduction in salaries or benefits.
The Kenya Independent Commissions Workers Union (KICOWU) has called on the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to suspend the ongoing conversion of secretariat staff from contract terms to permanent and pensionable employment.
In a circular signed by KICOWU Secretary General Njeru Kanyambu, the union demanded the immediate suspension of the exercise until its concerns and demands are addressed. The union cited a TSC circular dated June 8, which announced the conversion process.
KICOWU argued that the Commission initiated the exercise without consulting the union, despite its legal mandate to represent the affected employees.
“The Union demands full inclusion in the planning, structuring, and execution of this circular, as well as all future decisions affecting our members,” reads the circular.
KICOWU further argued that the rollout plan was developed without public participation or stakeholder consultation, contending that the circular falls short of the constitutional requirements governing decisions of such significance.
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“There was no public participation or stakeholder engagement conducted before the formulation of this rollout plan. Consequently, the circular fails to meet the minimum constitutional threshold required for decisions of such magnitude. The Union demands that a robust and meaningful public participation exercise be executed as soon as practically possible,” stated the union in its circular.
KICOWU also called for members employed on contract terms to be given the choice of either remaining on their current contracts or voluntarily transitioning to permanent and pensionable terms.
The union further insisted that the conversion of employment terms should not result in any reduction in its members’ salaries or adversely affect their financial well-being.
“In light of the foregoing, the Union hereby demands that the Commission immediately halt and suspend the rollout and implementation of this circular until all the above-listed concerns and demands are fully addressed,” said KICOWU.
By Frank Mugwe
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