Teachers being coerced to reject draft, claims Kuppet

By David Ochami

A teachers’ union says its members in parts of Rift Valley and Coast provinces have been threatened unless they oppose the Proposed Constitution and requested police protection.

Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) Chairman Akelo Misori said its officials in Nandi North, Uasin Gishu, Kericho, Kwale and Malindi have been threatened and asked to oppose the proposed charter.

Speaking in Nairobi on Sunday, Mr Misori said they have been accosted physically or intimidated on telephone by callers accusing them of supporting the law in hostile territory.

Their conscience

Kuppet National Executive Committee has endorsed the draft, but urged members to "vote by their conscience" after arriving at a decision that it promotes teachers’ welfare and is a better document than the current one. He said besides entrenching the Teachers Service Commission in the constitution, the proposed law also includes a progressive Bill of Rights, devolution and governance provisions acceptable to most Kenyans.

"That is why NEC resolved to support the Proposed Constitution. But our members can vote by their conscience," he said.

Opposition to the new law is strongest in parts of Rift Valley whose Members of Parliament support Higher Education Minister William Ruto, the key opponent of the document.