By Fredrick Odiero
Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) secretary general Collins Oyuu has urged teachers to go for the Covid-19 vaccination.
Oyuu said the jab is important since it will protect teachers against the dreaded virus.
Speaking on phone, Oyuu called on teachers to observe the Covid-19 containment protocols for their own safety and those of learners.
He also called on the government to stop issuing ultimatums on the vaccination drive since the vaccines had not reached some places.
“Last Friday in Kapenguria, teachers who had flocked the facilities to get vaccinated had to go back home without being served due to shortage,” he said.
Oyuu added that the union was taking the drive seriously and will launch a national campaign for all teachers to be vaccinated.
‘Out of the 320,000 teachers in the country, only 35 percent have been vaccinated,’ he said.
Teachers Service Commission Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia has in the recent past expressed concern over the low uptake of the vaccine among members of the teaching fraternity.
Public Service PS Mary Kimonye said civil servants who would not have received their first jab by deadline risk losing their salaries, benefits and allowances. They could also be locked out of their offices.
Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua had on August 5 directed all public servants to get vaccinated by August 23 or face disciplinary action.
