- Nandi KUPPET Executive Secretary Paul Rotich has warned against alleged political interference in teacher transfers in the county.
- Rotich said transfers should be based on professional and administrative considerations rather than used to punish teachers over perceived political differences.
- The union official urged TSC to safeguard its independence and protect teachers from intimidation or victimisation.
Nandi KUPPET Executive Secretary Brother Paul Rotich has issued a stern warning to an unnamed politician in the county over what he described as the political victimisation of a teacher through a transfer from Tinderet to Trans Nzoia County.
Speaking on Friday at Taito Village during the burial of the late Madam Lilian Jepngetich, Rotich said the KUPPET fraternity would stand with the affected teacher and ensure that transfers do not become instruments of political victimisation.
Madam Lilian Jepngetich was, until her demise, a Junior Secondary School (JSS) teacher at Kipchamo Comprehensive School in Nandi East Sub-County.
“The KUPPET fraternity will stand with the teacher to ensure that transfers do not become tools of victimisation,” Rotich said.
Rotich expressed concern over what he said were emerging reports in Nandi County that some politicians were resorting to teacher transfers whenever teachers were perceived to be “reading from a different script” from that of political leaders.
He cautioned that such practices could undermine teachers’ professional independence and create an atmosphere of fear within the teaching fraternity.
According to Rotich, teachers should be allowed to discharge their professional duties without political pressure or fear of reprisals for holding views or taking positions that may differ from those of politicians.
He urged the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to resist any attempts by politicians to influence teacher transfers, emphasising that the Commission is an independent constitutional body with established mechanisms for engaging with teachers.
Rotich maintained that teacher transfers should be guided by professional and administrative considerations rather than political interests.
KUPPET calls for due process
The KUPPET official further called for adherence to due process, warning that using transfers to punish or intimidate teachers could have far-reaching consequences for the education sector.
He said the union would continue to defend teachers against what it considers unfair treatment and ensure that the rights and welfare of its members remain protected.
Rotich said teachers should be able to carry out their responsibilities without fearing that professional decisions affecting them could be influenced by political considerations.
KUPPET has maintained that decisions involving teachers should follow established procedures and the mandate of the Teachers Service Commission.
Rotich said the union would stand with any teacher subjected to unfair treatment and would continue advocating for the professional independence of educators.
His remarks came as he called on education stakeholders and political leaders to respect the mandate of TSC and allow teachers to perform their duties without interference.
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The union official maintained that transfers should serve legitimate staffing and administrative needs rather than being used as a means of intimidation.
By Meshack Cheres
By Kimutai Langat
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