Sharp Divisions Rock KUPPET After Move to Call Off Teachers’ Strike

The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) is currently embroiled in a deepening crisis following a controversial decision by its national leadership to suspend a nationwide teachers’ strike. The decision, announced on Monday evening, has sparked significant backlash from branch officials, particularly from the Nyanza and Western regions, who are now demanding the resignation of the national office.

The discord began when KUPPET Secretary General Akelo Misori declared the strike suspension, instructing all teachers to resume work by Tuesday. Misori’s announcement highlighted that several contentious issues had been resolved, including the payment of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), restoration of medical cover, and ongoing discussions on teacher promotions. Misori assured that the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) was actively seeking funds to facilitate teacher promotions and was addressing the issue of confirmation for teachers in acting positions.

In his statement, Misori emphasized the need for teachers to return to their classrooms to mitigate the impact of the strike on students’ education. “The Collective Bargaining Agreement has been paid, medical cover restored, and on issues of teacher promotion, TSC is looking for money to promote as many teachers as possible and is discussing the confirmation of teachers in acting positions,” Misori stated.

However, the decision to suspend the strike has not been universally accepted within KUPPET. Branch officials from Nyanza and Western regions have publicly criticized the move, describing it as unprocedural and detrimental to the interests of teachers. Vihiga County executive branch secretary Savala Inyeni was among the most vocal critics, accusing the national leadership of abandoning the cause and accepting a “raw deal” from the TSC.

Inyeni and other dissenting officials argue that the agreement reached fails to address one of the most contentious issues: the stagnation of teachers in various job groups. They claim that the national office’s decision undermines the union’s Constitution and disregards the concerns of its members. Inyeni’s criticism was echoed by Kisii County branch executive Joseph Abincha, who accused the top national officials of sabotaging the union’s efforts and violating procedural norms.

The internal conflict within KUPPET has intensified as the disagreements between the national leadership and regional officials continue to surface. The dissenting officials are calling for a reevaluation of the agreement with the TSC and demanding accountability from the national office. They argue that the suspension of the strike should have been preceded by thorough consultation with all branches to ensure that the resolution was in line with the union’s collective goals and expectations.

On the other hand, TSC CEO Nancy Macharia has offered assurances that no punitive measures will be taken against teachers who participated in the strike. Macharia emphasized that the decision to suspend the strike was made with the best interests of students in mind. “We are cognizant of the fact that our teachers are very hardworking, and we met with the unions today because the children are greater than all of us. We are joining efforts to ensure they cover the lost time,” Macharia stated.

As the situation unfolds, the central question remains whether the national leadership of KUPPET will address the concerns raised by the regional branches and find a resolution that aligns with the union’s collective objectives. The deepening rift threatens to undermine the unity of KUPPET and could have lasting implications for the union’s effectiveness in advocating for teachers’ rights and interests.

In the coming days, it will be crucial to monitor how the national office responds to the demands from its branches and whether any further negotiations with the TSC will take place. The outcome of these developments will likely shape the future of KUPPET and its role in addressing the challenges faced by Kenya’s post-primary education sector.