West Pokot teachers ‘ready for January strike’

KNUT Secretary General Wilson Sossion. [Photo, Standard]

West Pokot teachers, through their umbrella union Knut, have vowed to join other branches in solidarity for a national strike once schools open next week.

They want the Government to address their concerns including suspension of transfers through delocalisation, promotion of staff and the Teachers Procreation Assessment development.

Speaking in West Pokot, Knut executive secretary Martin Sembelo said the teachers are ready for a strike.

“We are ready to down our tools in solidarity with other branches and union leader. We are telling teachers in the Rift Valley that no stone will be left unturned.”

Sembelo, who is also a National Executive Council (NEC) member, emphasised that ‘drums have been beaten’ and all teachers in the County will disrupt classes.

“We strongly support the strike and we are behind Wilson Sossion, the Secretary General,” he said.

Sembelo added that teachers have suffered for long and the Government should prepare for battle.

He said over 40,000 learners in the county will miss classes and 600 schools will be affected from January 3.

Sembelo asked parents not to send their children to public schools from Thursday, saying staff will down their tools.

“We will not be in class but instead in the streets fighting for our rights. The union is determined to fight for teachers' rights to the end,” he said.

He added, "The strike will be tougher than before. Any teacher who will make a mistake of reporting to school will face the wrath of the union members.”

Sembelo said the union officials will move round the schools to scout for members who sneak back to work.

Knut county chairperson Joel Partich said it is hard for non-local teachers to survive in West Pokot County.

He called on the TSC to re-look into the delocalisation policy, saying moving teachers will affect the quality of education.