Kuppet walkout mars teachers’ unions merger talks

By  RAWLINGS OTIENO

Talks aimed at merging the three teachers’ unions stalled after one party walked out of the meeting alleging insincerity and a plot to kill other unions.

Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut), University Academic Staff Union (Uasu) and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) yesterday failed to agree on the modalities of forming a strong umbrella union to face the Government over issues facing the education sector.

Kuppet officials walked out of the closed-door meeting alleging that Knut was using under hand tactics to dissolve their union. Kuppet National Chairman Omboko Milemba stormed out in protest alleging that the talks were not in good taste.

However, the steering committee chairperson Sammy Kubasu said the meeting of the unions was meant to address teachers unity from early childhood education to the university level.

“We have issues affecting us as the teacher’s fraternity. We have similar problems and we must address them as a united entity. As far as we are concerned everything is on well,” said Prof Kubasu.

The steering committee, whose other members include Knut Secretary General Wilson Sossion, Uasu Secretary Muga K’Olale and his Kuppet counterpart Akello Misori, seeks to address the unity of teachers and a possible merger.

According to Kubasu, the terms of reference of the committee would be to plan and co-ordinate unity talks between the three unions, create and package information to stakeholders, develop and propose structural framework within which the union will work.

Asked whether the unions had agreed to dissolve and form one union, Kubasu dismissed the proposition and clarified that talks and consultations were still ongoing and if the members of the steering committee agree to the idea, it will be taken to the members for approval.

“In our talks, we have not agreed to merge or dissolve, but if the members of the committee agree to that proposition, who am I to refuse. We simply take it to the members for adoption,” said Kubasu.

Kubasu, Uasu national chairman, said that it is only through unity that they will be able to face the Government and get the best for the welfare of their members.