Makueni County Commissioner Gives KNUT 7 Days as Teachers Suspend Protests Over Education Director

By Andrew Mbuva.

Makueni County Commissioner Khalif Abdullahi has urged Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) officials to suspend their demonstrations and allow consultations to take place over their grievances concerning the management of education services in the county.

Abdullahi spoke on Wednesday after receiving a petition from Makueni County KNUT officials, who had staged demonstrations for two consecutive days demanding the transfer of County Director of Education Lydia Mutegi.

The County Commissioner said the government recognizes the constitutional right of teachers to peacefully demonstrate, picket and present petitions to public authorities.

“As a government and the security committee accompanying me, I want to make it clear that we recognize and respect KNUT's constitutional right to peacefully and unarmed assemble, demonstrate, picket and present its petition, which we have received,” Abdullahi said.

He noted that security agencies had provided police escort during the demonstrations because the government had no intention of interfering with the union's lawful activities.

“We have no intention of interfering with their lawful right to picketing. That is why we managed to give you police escort throughout the last two days during your protest, demonstration and picketing,” he said.

Abdullahi said the grievances raised by the teachers had been noted and would be forwarded to the relevant authorities for consideration and resolution.

“I have, with the committee accompanying me, the County Security Committee, listened carefully to the issues you have raised and appreciate that they are matters of concern to the teaching fraternity,” he said.

“Your grievances have been noted and will be discussed at the appropriate level and with the relevant authorities for consideration and resolution.”

The commissioner said some of the issues raised by KNUT fall outside the mandate of the county security committee and would therefore require engagement with other government authorities.

He disclosed that he was already consulting the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders on the matter.

“I want to assure the KNUT leadership that I am currently in consultation with the Ministry of Education and the relevant stakeholders on the grievances that you have raised,” Abdullahi said.

“The matter, therefore, will be escalated to the appropriate level for consideration with a view to finding a comprehensive and lasting resolution.”

The commissioner called on KNUT leaders and members to remain calm and patient as the consultations continue, while urging all parties to embrace dialogue and cooperation.

He further warned against actions that could interfere with learning, saying pupils and students should remain at the centre of efforts to resolve the dispute.

“Most importantly, let us ensure that learning is not disrupted as we seek a solution. Our children, as we always say, must remain at the centre of everything we do,” Abdullahi said.

He also urged government institutions to work together within their respective mandates in what he termed a “one government approach” to ensure effective delivery of services to residents.

On his part, Makueni County KNUT Secretary General Benson Ndambuki said the union had agreed to suspend the demonstrations and give the authorities seven days to address their concerns.

“I want to call off these demonstrations and give a seven-day ultimatum so that this matter is concluded,” Ndambuki said.

He said teachers would return to their classrooms and continue teaching as they await the outcome of the consultations.

“We are going back to class and continue delivering learning to our learners, instilling knowledge in our learners,” he said.

The KNUT officials have been demanding the transfer of County Director of Education Lydia Mutegi, citing various grievances over her administration and management of education affairs in Makueni County.

Abdullahi, however, emphasized the need for continued dialogue, calling on KNUT, education officials and other stakeholders to maintain mutual respect as efforts to resolve the dispute continue.