Kenya’s education sector is on the brink of disruption after the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) issued a strong ultimatum, threatening to strike just hours before the start of its third term.
The union is demanding the immediate release of the 13.3 billion shillings promised in the second phase of the 2021-2025 collective agreement (CBA).
This funding, essential for the remuneration of teachers, has not yet been provided by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), despite a tentative agreement with President William Ruto in 2022.
KNUT national chairman Patrick Karinga has expressed the disappointment of the union, saying that the teachers are expected to receive payment from July 2024. However, when they went to their banks, they were defeated with disappointment and financial difficulties. “We will get what we owe in July 2024, which was not the case. Our teachers had a budget for the same, but when they went to the bank, they were a little embarrassed,” said Karinga.
The president also criticized the TSC for failing to pay teachers’ monthly deductions for essential services such as health insurance, leaving many teachers without access to essential medical care.
KNUT regional branches across the country are mobilizing in support of the strike, while local branches have already mobilized their members. In West Pokot and Meru provinces, union leaders are urging the government to act quickly to avoid the disruption of the third term, which is crucial for students’ academic success.
As tensions rise, the union advised parents to keep their children at home until the situation is resolved. KNUT is calling on President Ruto to intervene and order the National Treasury to release the necessary funds, warning that an imminent strike is inevitable if the situation remains unresolved.
Time is running out and the impending strike could devastate the country’s education system, affecting thousands of students as they prepare for the last term of the school year.
