The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has strongly opposed the government’s proposal to degazette some hardship areas in the country in order to cut on the government expenditures on civil servants designated in those areas.
The union insists that all 44 regions currently recognized as hardship zones by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) must remain intact.
In a press statement, signed by KUPPET Secretary General Akelo Misori and other branch officials, the union demanded the immediate gazettement of additional hardship areas, including Chepalungu, Chonyi, Nyatike West, Nyatike North, Nyatike South, Rachuonyo North, Mwala, Kalama, Samia, Teso North, Lunga Lunga, Narok South, and Narok North.
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According to the statement, these regions, spread across counties such as Bomet, Kilifi, Migori, Machakos, Busia, Kwale, and Narok, have long faced severe economic and social challenges.
“The process of categorizing hardship areas is clearly defined in law and relies on verified data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics,” KUPPET stated. “Any attempt to bypass Parliament and use executive directives to alter these zones is unacceptable.”
The union also dismissed a purported report by the Inter-Agency Technical Committee under the Ministry of Public Service, Performance & Delivery Management, which reportedly recommended reclassifying hardship areas.
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“For over six years, this so-called report has neither been gazetted nor made public. We doubt its existence,” KUPPET said.
KUPPET emphasized that hardship allowances are protected by legal notices and collective bargaining agreements negotiated with the TSC.
“A Cabinet Secretary cannot take away a benefit that he did not give,” the union asserted.
“If some areas no longer deserve hardship status, let the ministry publicly name them. Kenyans are beset by so many challenges including insecurity, poor health services and food insecurity. It is an insult to claim that some areas of the country have developed overnight.” Part of the statement reads.
By Cornelius Korir
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