By Allan Kai
A section of Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Mombasa branch teachers took to the streets, protesting what they described as the government's blatant disregard for their well-being. Their grievances centered on the meager pay for intern teachers provided by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the alleged halving of the teachers' health insurance fund, which they termed as a violation of their rights.
KUPPET Mombasa branch Executive Secretary, Linet Kamadi, spoke to the media during the protest, highlighting an earlier Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the teachers and TSC regarding salaries and remuneration. She claimed that the government has failed to honor this agreement.
“The government repeatedly promises to allocate funds, but these promises are never fulfilled. We have qualified teachers with degrees, and the TSC is mandated to employ them on a permanent and pensionable basis. However, the government is instead shifting towards employing teachers on a contract basis through back channels,” Kamadi lamented.
KUPPET Mombasa branch Executive Secretary, Linet Kamadi (in white) addresing the media during today's protests in Mombasa. Photo: Gilbert Were
The teachers demanded the immediate implementation of the earlier CBA, criticizing the KES.17,000 stipend for intern teachers as inadequate in the current economic climate.
“The KES.17,000 stipend is insufficient to cover basic needs such as food, shelter, and transport. These teachers are graduates with the necessary qualifications, and we demand that they be employed on a permanent and pensionable basis by the TSC,” Kamadi added.
The protest also addressed concerns about the reduction of the teachers’ health insurance cover, which the government allegedly cut from KES.22 billion to half.
“Reducing a teacher’s salary and their health insurance is unacceptable. This action suggests the government’s disregard for the welfare of teachers,” Kamadi expressed.
Human rights activist Mathias Shipeta, a teacher by profession, supported the teachers' protest, particularly their stance on the interns’ stipend. He emphasized that the right to demonstrate is enshrined in the constitution and should not be infringed upon.
Human rights activist Mathias Shipeta, a teacher by profession, joined other teachers in the protests today. Photo: Gilbert Were
“The right to demonstrate is constitutionally protected, and no one has the authority to violate that right,” Shipeta stated.
Earlier this week, the court temporarily halted the nationwide strike, which began on the first day of the third term, pending the resolution of a case filed by the TSC on Monday.
The teachers' demands include the implementation of phase two of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement, the promotion of teachers, the absorption of Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers on a permanent basis, and the reinstatement of their medical cover.
