- Special school teachers in Elgeyo Marakwet have issued a January 2027 strike deadline over delayed promotions, risk allowances and welfare concerns.
- Teachers have accused the county administration of failing to engage them despite repeated attempts to secure meetings.
- The demonstration also exposed a shortage of dedicated secondary schools for learners with special needs, forcing some older learners to seek education in neighbouring counties.
Special school teachers in Elgeyo Marakwet have issued a January 2027 deadline for the county government to address their grievances or face a strike.
The teachers staged a demonstration in Iten town, demanding action on delayed promotions, risk allowances and other welfare matters. Led by Maria Sogomo and Gladys Chuma, the educators accused the county administration of failing to engage them despite several attempts to secure meetings with officials. “We have tried to meet county officials on these matters, but our efforts have not borne fruit. Nobody has been available to sit down with us and listen to our concerns,” they said.
The teachers said their working conditions were particularly challenging because of the specialised needs of the learners they serve. “We play a major role in education and in the lives of learners with disabilities. We therefore deserve to be treated fairly and have our welfare concerns addressed,” they said. They called on Governor Wisley Rotich to intervene immediately, warning that failure to resolve the issues could trigger industrial action. “If our demands are not addressed by January 2027, we will down our tools,” the teachers warned.
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The demonstration has also drawn attention to broader gaps in special-needs education in Elgeyo Marakwet. The county has several specialised institutions and units, including Iten School for the Visually Impaired, Bugar Special School, Mindililwo Special School, Kobil Special School, Chepsigot Special School for the Blind and Kapsowar Special Unit. While some institutions have benefited from infrastructure improvements and county support for feeding programmes, learning materials and adaptive devices, leaders have raised concern over the shortage of dedicated secondary schools for learners with special needs, a gap that means some older learners have to seek specialised education in neighbouring counties.
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The teachers said addressing these challenges requires not only investment in infrastructure and learning resources but also better welfare for the educators responsible for delivering specialised education.
By Kimutai Langat
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