Kenya's high school teachers divided over strike demanding pay hike

By Dennis Onyango and Kenan Miruka

Members of Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) in Kisumu County have defied the union’s calls for strike.
Learning proceeded smoothly in schools in the county as some schools administered mid-term exams to their students.
Kisumu Day Secondary School acting principal, Mr  Manguro Osongo said all KNUT and KUPPET members were present and attending their duties as usual.
He said KUPPET had not put in place necessary structures to effect the strike.
“Teachers are still waiting for instructions from the union; we have not even received any circular towards that effect but have just read it in the newspaper,” he said.
Lions High School deputy principal, Mr Emmanuel Okwama said no union official had visited the school to confirm whether the strike was on.
He said they were waiting for communication that would come from the secondary schools head’s meeting in Mombasa.
At Xaverian Secondary School, Joseph Komutho who is the Senior Teacher said no class had gone untaught but lamented on the laxity of KUPPET teachers.
Kisumu County KUPPET chairman Zablon Awange said they were warming up and strategising to ensure the strike was in force.
“We are going on with our strike as planned and we expect that teachers have responded well to the call,” he said.
Kisumu County KNUT chairman Edward Olando criticised KUPPET, saying the union lacked the power to mobilise members for strike in the country.
“KUPPET cannot effectively call for strike in the country. Let them try if they think they have the muscles,” he said.
Nyanza Region Parents Association chairman Jackson Omollo challenged the two rival unions to work together for the Government to address their demands effectively.
They should speak one voice to enable the Government avert the looming strike, he said.
In Kisii County, learning in some schools was paralyzed after teachers affiliated to the kuppet heed to their union’s call.
On Monday, Kuppet national office asked its members to keep off classes beginning Tuesday following the lapse of a strike notice they had issued to the government two weeks ago.
Some schools were forced to break for early half term as the absence of the teachers made learning impossible. Eberege Secondary School in Kenyenya district remained closed as the strike began on Tuesday.
Teachers who spoke to The Standard vowed to press on with the strike until the government agrees to provide funds to harmonize their salaries and allowances with those of civil servants.
“Our members have been advised to keep off duty until they receive communication from our union’s national office. We cannot continue negotiating with the government forever,” said Kuppet Kisii County branch executive Ben Nyaundi.
Worst hit are candidates in Catholic sponsored schools that are currently sitting for the Kisii Diocesan mock exams.