The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has raised an alarm, saying that nearly 150 Kenyan teacher students are stranded in Tanzania following the recent post-election chaos in the country.
Speaking during the National Governing Council (NGC) meeting in Nairobi today, KUPPET Secretary-General Akelo Misori said the affected group, pursuing master’s degrees at Aga Khan University, has been caught up in the violence that erupted after the disputed polls.
Misori said the situation has left the teacher students with limited access to communication and restricted movement, putting their safety at risk.
“The incident is unfortunate. Our students and teachers are virtually being held hostage with limited communication,” Misori said.
He added: “We call upon the government to act swiftly and bring them home until the situation stabilises so that they can return and continue with their studies.”
He urged regional leaders to uphold peace, safety, and freedom of movement within the East African Community (EAC), saying education should not be disrupted by political instability.
“We must safeguard the freedom and security of our citizens within the EAC region. This is a test of our commitment to regional cooperation,” he added.
Turning to teacher employment, the KUPPET boss called on the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to expedite the confirmation of Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers from internship to permanent and pensionable terms.
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He said the teachers have diligently served under challenging circumstances and deserve job security and full employment benefits.
“The TSC should issue a clear notice on the status of JSS teachers who have served as interns by confirming them into permanent and pensionable terms. It is time they are confirmed before their contracts expire in two weeks’ time,” Misori said.
On union matters, Misori announced that KUPPET is preparing for its forthcoming national elections, noting that the Ministry of Labour, which regulates trade unions, has already approved the polls.
He said preparations regarding election regulations and venues are ongoing, emphasising that the union is committed to transparency and democracy in its internal processes.
By Philip Koech
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