- KNUT has opposed the alleged transfer of thousands of its members to KUPPET without their consent.
- First Vice National Chairperson Malel Langat says more than 9,000 teachers deployed to JSS are affected.
- The union says it has moved to court and wants the transfers reversed to protect members’ rights.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has continued to oppose the transfer of its members to the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), terming the move unconstitutional and unacceptable.
First Vice National Chairperson Malel Langat said the affected teachers had not consented to the transfer and accused the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) of colluding with KUPPET to weaken the union.
Speaking in Bomet, Langat said more than 9,000 teachers deployed to Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) were among those most affected by the move.
“None of the teachers consented to the transfer. It is unacceptable and a violation of the Constitution,” Langat said.
He argued that KNUT had supported many of the affected teachers in advancing their studies in local and international universities and questioned why they should subsequently be registered under another union.
Langat cited Articles 41 and 47 of the Constitution, saying workers should be given an opportunity to join unions of their choice and have their rights protected through fair administrative action.
He also accused TSC Acting Commission Secretary/CEO Evaleen Mitei of working to undermine President William Ruto’s standing among teachers.
Langat warned that the transfer could weaken KNUT financially by reducing its membership and resources, potentially affecting the union’s operations at both national and branch levels.
Union warns of fresh labour disputes
He said labour disputes in the education sector had reduced in recent years and warned that the ongoing controversy could trigger fresh disputes between teachers’ unions and the employer.
“The labour disputes in the education sector had ceased, but this move could revive them,” he said.
Langat said KNUT had already moved to court over the matter, maintaining that the union would not allow what he described as an infringement of its members’ rights to continue.
The sentiments were echoed by Bureti KNUT Branch Executive Secretary Alfred Rop, who also termed the transfers unacceptable.
Rop called for the immediate reversal of the transfers, saying KNUT would continue defending the rights and interests of its members.
“These transfers are unacceptable and should be revoked. KNUT will continue defending the rights of its members,” Rop said.
READ ALSO: The unanswered hours: What Vivian Kajaya’s killing teaches university students about personal safety
KNUT First Vice National Chairperson Malel Langat speaks in Bomet. He has opposed the alleged transfer of KNUT members to KUPPET without their consent.
By Kimutai Langat
Get more stories from our website: Education News
To write to us or offer feedback, you can reach us at: editor@educationnews.co.ke
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
