KUPPET to launch no-resigning-for-teachers’ referendum

Akelo Misori (left), KUPPET Secretary General flanked by Omboko Milemba KUPPET Chainman. [PHOTO: STANDARD FILE]

KERICHO COUNTY: The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) is set to launch its own referendum quest to allow teachers run for political offices in the 2017 general elections without being required to resign from the teaching profession.

Speaking during Kericho branch, Kuppet Governing Council meeting held in Litein, Kuppet Secretary General Akello Misori and Chairman Omboko Milemba said teachers must be allowed to exercise their constitutional right to contest in a democratic exercise.

"There is nothing wrong with teachers beginning to collect signatures to allow the country to go into a referendum in a bid to allow teachers to run for political offices without first being required to resign from teaching," said Misori.

He proposed that teachers with political ambitions should be allowed to take at least six months work leave to go and try their luck in the political contest.

"The electorate have a right to elect the kind of leaders that they want and as teachers we want to improve the country' governance. Therefore, teachers must be allowed to have a chance to try their luck for political office and if they lose, go back to school and continue teaching," he said.

The Secretary General expressed confidence that unlike the Council of Governors (CoG) Pesa Mashinani as well as CORD's Okoa Kenya referendum drive, the teachers' initiative would be less costly and could be executed in a short period of time.

Milemba supported the calls pointing out that in 1963, teachers formed the bulk of the post independent politicians whose immense contributions to the national development agenda was still being felt to date.

"In 1963, teachers moved en mass to join the civil service because they were the most qualified people to take on the jobs and there are still great minds in the teaching profession who must be allowed to try their luck for political office," he said.

Misori argued that by allowing teachers to run for political offices, the teaching profession wouldn't be depleted since there were over 40,000 trained teachers who can replace those who would succeed in clinching the seats they eye.

Nonetheless, a Kuppet official from Narok County opposed the moves saying the window of opportunity would lead teachers to lose focus of their teaching responsibilities and become preoccupied with politics.

"Teachers deal with fragile minds, that is why teachers have to choose one thing, teaching or politics," he said.

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