The teaching fraternity is staring at a major crackdown following the emergence of yet another splinter union.
It also comes shortly after a tumultuous leadership change in Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the signing of a controversial non-monetary collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
Due to change of leadership at KNUT teachers have since formed a new union dubbed Kenya National Teachers Pressure Group (KNTPG) which has proved tough against TSC boss Nancy Macharia.
The group has been too harsh against TSC’s agenda, pushing for reforms which according to its brigades, has not favoured the welfare of teachers in the country.
The Macharia-led TSC has since moved in to crack whip on teachers who have proved to be too vocal against its agenda.
“I received a call from TSC Nairobi County director through my headteacher who told me that I should be cautious of what I say to the media and that any issues I have I should go through the teachers’ unions,” said Martha Omollo, spokesperson of KNTPG.
Omollo has already been moved to Trans Nzoia County from her Mowlem Supaloaf Primary School in Nairobi.
The purge will see more teachers scattered to various regions in the country, a move seen to disgruntle their unity.
According to a report by Nation Africa, KNTPG members who have been affected in the recent crackdown are; Ms Eva Muchemi who has been moved from her Nairobi post to Narok, Fanuel Ambole has been transferred from Machakos to Tana River, Ms Ann Wanyoike was moved from Nairobi to Kitui.
Other affected tutors are Jane Gitonga, Betsy Mitema, Julius Aloo and Kinyua Mwangi. More than 10 other teachers have, reportedly been issued with the transfer letters.
There’s been division among teachers after firebrand Wilson Sossion exited KNUT in June this year.
The National Education Union (NEU) was formed after months of turmoil that saw many leave the once giant KNUT.
The splinter group, whose rallying call is “Service, Justice and Unity”, plans to recruit teachers from pre-primary, primary, secondary and tertiary levels, as well as those in private institutions.
Knut draws the bulk of its members from primary school teachers, whereas the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) is predominantly a union for secondary school teachers.
Other recently formed unions include the Kenya Union of Pre-primary Education Teachers (KUNOPPET), which draws its membership from pre-primary teachers, and the Kenya Union of Technical and Vocational Education Trainers (KUTVET), whose formation saw technical institutes’ teachers leave KUPPET in 2018.
