Teachers under the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Trans Nzoia branch has warned the government against ignoring teachers’ demands, vowing industrial action if concerns over employment terms for Junior School (JS) teachers and teachers’ medical care remain unaddressed.
Union officials accused the government of disregarding a court ruling that directed the immediate employment of 44,000 JS teachers on permanent and pensionable terms, instead of retaining them on contracts.
Speaking outside the union’s offices in Kitale, Branch Executive Secretary Dan Kutai cautioned that teachers were prepared to exercise their constitutional right to strike.
“The government is underestimating the power, authority and unity of teachers. We are not second-class professionals,” said Kutai.
He was accompanied by Branch Chairman Paul Weyama, Treasurer Ken Prichani and Assistant Treasurer Verah Eyase. The officials issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to absorb JSS teachers under improved terms or face a nationwide strike.
Representatives from the five sub-counties—Kitale West, Kitale East, Endebess, Kwanza and Saboti—backed the resolution, warning that failure to act within the deadline would trigger collective industrial action across the country.
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Kutai further accused the government of neglecting teachers’ welfare, insisting that full employment for JSS teachers was non-negotiable.
“We are not begging. We have a mandate to demand fair and equal treatment for teachers as professionals. We have exercised patience, but we have now reached our limit,” he said.
The union also criticized delays in payment for teachers who served as examiners last year, terming it an example of continued disregard for the profession.
Additionally, KUPPET called for an immediate halt to salary deductions directed to the Kenya Women Teachers Association (KEWOTA), describing them as unjustified and demoralizing, particularly for female teachers working under challenging conditions.
On healthcare, the officials raised concerns over the Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme, saying its Ksh 2,500 cap was insufficient and had left many teachers struggling to access treatment. They alleged that some teachers had succumbed to chronic illnesses due to inadequate medical coverage, forcing others to incur out-of-pocket expenses despite government assurances of improved healthcare.
The meeting concluded with a firm warning to authorities.
“Enough is enough. If the government fails to listen, we will take the necessary action,” the officials declared.
By Abisai Amugune
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