KUPPET Kisumu raises alarm over attacks on teachers in Nyando and Seme

The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Kisumu Chapter has expressed concern over an increasing cycle of attacks by armed criminals targeting members of the teaching fraternity, singling out Nyando and Seme sub-counties.

Speaking to the media in Kisumu, Executive Secretary George Osura said KUPPET members are now living in fear of being attacked at their places of residence. He cited an incident in Nyando in which a teacher was attacked and killed while leaving his business premises.

Osura said many teachers are apprehensive that they will be attacked and robbed during the examination period, noting that many wake up very early to collect examination papers at various points at dusk, which places them at great risk. He called for enhanced security in both Nyando and Seme sub-counties.

Osura also called on the government to hasten the promotion and recruitment of more teachers, following a directive by President William Ruto during the World Teachers' Day celebrations. He said the head of state should be lauded for the concern he has shown towards the teaching profession. "No head of state has ensured the recruitment of more than 100,000 teachers and the promotion of thousands of others," he said.

He added that the revised Career Progression Guidelines (CPG) framework for 2026, which is awaiting final evaluation and approval by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), is long overdue and should be hastened.

The union official also expressed reservations over the manner in which some health facilities in Kisumu County are handling teachers enrolled in the Social Health Authority (SHA). He said the capping imposed by some facilities on outpatient services, at between Sh3,500 and Sh4,000, was unwarranted, since teachers pay a substantial amount of money through SHA.

Osura said certain health facilities were limiting the number of teachers they attend to while giving other civil servants preferential treatment. "All civil servants including teachers should be treated equally when it comes to medical coverage," he said.

Osura further said teachers who will be marking national examinations should not be given a raw deal. He wondered why the issue of errors in examination payments should arise at the last minute, saying it should be addressed once and for all.