By Sam Otieno

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is on the spot after it failed to remit third-party deductions to the various teachers’ financial institutions countrywide.

TSC has also declined to submit almost Sh60 million to the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) as union January dues.

Against the law

Yesterday, Knut Secretary-General Lawrence Majali said teachers were paid their full salaries without effecting the deduction against the law.

"I have talked to the Commissioner of Labour and he has said no directive that TSC should not deduct (union dues from) salaries has been issued," said Mr Majali.

Section 48 of the Labour Relations Act 2007, stipulates that TSC has an obligation to deduct union dues and remit it to a bank account specified by the union.

Knut Chairman George Wesonga said the move would not only cripple the operations of the union, but also the various co-operative societies in which teachers channel their contributions as well.

"Teachers use the Saccos to get loans for school fees and I do not understand why TSC is doing this," said Mr Wesonga.

He said the return-to-work formula signed between the Government and Knut was clear that teachers should not be victimised for their decision to go on strike.

TSC Chairman Ibrahim Hussein, when contacted for comment, referred us to the commission Secretary, Mr Gabriel Lengoiboni.

However, Mr Lengoiboni’s phones lines went unanswered all day yesterday.

The return-to-work formula was agreed upon to end the nine-day strike staged by Knut to demand that the agreed salary raise be paid in one instalment.

But the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) said its cheque is ready and will be collected by yesterday.

No money

"I have been informed that our cheque is ready and I will be collecting it today (yesterday) said Kuppet Secretary-General Njeru Kanyamba.

Yesterday, Majali said the union has no money to pay its secretariat staff or those at their branches.

In the return-to-work deal, Knut and TSC agreed TSC should not withhold any salaries or allowances on account of the teachers’ participation in the strike.