KUPPET Makueni branch officials address the media during a press briefing led by Executive Secretary Justus Kimeu and Chairman Erastus Kimetu. Photo by Andrew Mbuva. 
By Andrew Mbuva
The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Makueni branch has called on the government to urgently address teachers’ grievances, warning that failure to do so could trigger an imminent nationwide strike.
Speaking during a press briefing held at a hotel in Makueni, branch Executive Secretary Justus Kimeu, flanked by Chairman Erastus Kimetu and other union officials, emphasized the need for immediate government action to ensure a smooth reopening of schools next week.
Kimeu urged the government to honor its commitments, including the employment of 44,000 intern teachers to address staffing shortages in schools across the country. He also appealed to Members of Parliament to reject the proposed comprehensive school model when the sessional paper is tabled in Parliament, advocating instead for the retention of a three-tier education system comprising primary, junior, and senior schools.
“We have raised numerous concerns affecting our teachers. The government must respond and fulfill its promises,” Kimeu stated.
On the contentious issue of hardship allowances, Kimeu insisted that any review of hardship zones must involve the union, maintaining that Makueni County should continue to be classified as a hardship area.
Chairman Erastus Kimetu raised concerns over delayed payments to Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) examiners, questioning the fate of funds allocated for the exercise.
“It is unacceptable that examiners remain unpaid six months after completing their work. If this issue is not resolved, teachers may boycott marking exams this year or even resort to industrial action,” warned Kimetu.
He further called on the government to expedite the review of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which he said had been promised by President William Ruto during a previous meeting with teachers at State House.
KUPPET Makueni Treasurer Cosmas Muteti criticized the government’s recent pronouncements on the Social Health Authority (SHA), particularly the proposed cost-sharing measures. He expressed concern over the capping of medical coverage and limited choice of healthcare facilities for teachers.
“Teachers should not be subjected to cost-sharing when they are already struggling financially. We demand freedom to choose healthcare providers and the introduction of a smart card system to eliminate long waiting times for treatment authorization,” Muteti said.
Junior School Secretary Evans Kisoi highlighted challenges arising from the implementation of comprehensive schools over the past three years, citing administrative inefficiencies and conflicts.
He advocated for greater autonomy in the education system through the establishment of separate primary, junior, and senior school structures, each with independent management and co-curricular programs.
“With autonomy, we believe long-standing conflicts in the education sector will be resolved,” Kisoi noted.
The union’s demands come amid growing tension in the education sector, as teachers across the country push for improved working conditions and fulfillment of government pledges.
