The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), Trans Nzoia branch, has issued a seven-day strike ultimatum to the government, warning of nationwide industrial action if a series of grievances are not addressed.
At the center of the dispute is the alleged inefficiency of the Social Health Authority (SHA) medical cover, which teachers say has failed to deliver adequate healthcare services despite increased monthly deductions.
KUPPET County Executive Secretary Dan Kutai said teachers’ monthly contributions have risen from about Sh1,200 to Sh2,500, yet the cover has not met expectations, forcing educators to incur additional out-of-pocket medical expenses.
“We are not ready to keep digging deeper into our pockets to pay, and yet the government was very clear that the medical cover is supposed to be comprehensive,” said Mr. Kutai during a press briefing in Kitale.
The union further criticized inconsistencies in the implementation of the health insurance scheme, saying promised benefits have not been fully realized.
Kutai warned that failure by the government to respond within seven days would trigger industrial action that could disrupt learning across Trans Nzoia County.
“We are giving them a notice of seven days. If they fail to act, we are going to stage demonstrations and paralyse learning in the entire county. It shall not be business as usual,” he said.
Demand for Confirmation of JSS Intern Teachers
The teachers also demanded the immediate confirmation of Junior Secondary School (JSS) interns into permanent and pensionable terms, saying prolonged delays were negatively affecting morale and performance in schools.
“The confirmation of interns is long overdue. Teachers cannot continue working under uncertainty while education standards are expected to remain high,” said Kutai.
He further called for greater autonomy for teachers to enhance efficiency in service delivery.
Concerns Over Examination Duties and Pay
KUPPET also accused the government of neglecting teachers involved in national examination duties, including invigilation and supervision, saying their efforts have not been matched with fair compensation or improved employment terms.
“It is quite absurd the way this government is treating teachers. We did our work faithfully, but we are being ignored,” the executive secretary said.
Call for Permanent Employment and Policy Action
The union insisted that all interns and non-contracted teachers should be absorbed into permanent and pensionable terms without delay, warning that continued silence from the government could lead to a nationwide shutdown of learning institutions.
KUPPET maintained that if their demands are not met within the seven-day ultimatum, it will mobilize members across the country for industrial action aimed at paralyzing the education sector.
Call to Halt KEWOTA Deductions
The union also urged the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to immediately halt deductions and remittances from the payslips of female teachers who are members of the Kenya Women Teachers Association (KEWOTA), citing allegations of misappropriation of funds within the organization.
