by Patrick Muriungi

A teachers’ union says it will resort to industrial action if the State withdraws members’ hardship allowance.

The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) has also written to Public Service Minister Dalmas Otieno, saying any attempt to withdraw allowances for its 16,236 members would result into industrial court action.

More than 70,000 teachers within Job Groups ‘K’ and ‘R’ serving in hardship areas would be affected by the rationalisation and harmonisation of hardship areas. The proposed payment of hardship allowance to teachers and civil servants is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Public Service.

Kuppet Secretary General Njeru Kanyamba, in the protest letter to the minister, wants the Government to immediately rescind its decision to de-gazette certain hardship areas and to classify others as moderate hardship zones.

"We would like you to act within 21 days and convene an urgent meeting with our union to resolve the matter," reads part of the letter.

Kanyamba says the ministry did not consult the union. He said the affected teachers will resist any attempts to withdraw or reduce the hardship allowance.

The union says in the letter, also copied to the Teachers Service Commission and the PS, Ministry of Edu