KNUT Warns TSC Over Alleged Transfer Of Teachers TO KUPPET, Threatens Mass Action

By Fredrick Kioko 

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Makueni County branch has strongly protested the alleged transfer of its members to the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) without their knowledge, consent or voluntary application.

In a strongly worded statement, the KNUT Makueni leadership led by the Count Secretary Benson Ndambuki accused the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) of failing to respect teachers’ freedom of association, following the deployment of some teachers to Junior Schools and their subsequent placement in Comprehensive Schools.

Ndambuki said the changes in teachers’ deployment and placement did not automatically terminate their membership of the union or give any institution the authority to determine which trade union they should belong to.

“These teachers have been loyal KNUT members for years,” said Ndambuki, insisting that their deployment to Junior Schools and subsequent placement in Comprehensive Schools does not extinguish their constitutional freedom of association.

The union further accused KUPPET of allegedly recruiting or transferring KNUT members through what it described as fraudulent means, saying it would not accept what it termed interference with its membership.

KNUT cited Article 41 of the Constitution and Section 4 of the Labour Relations Act, which protect employees’ rights to join and participate in a trade union of their choice.

The Makueni branch has consequently demanded that TSC explain how the affected teachers were moved from KNUT to KUPPET and restore their membership in line with their expressed preference.

“KNUT will not sit back and watch the rights of its members undermined through administrative manipulation or any form of unlawful interference with trade-union membership,” said Ndambuki.

The union maintained that the affected teachers had expressed their preference to remain KNUT members and called on TSC to respect their decision.

KNUT warned that failure by TSC to reverse the alleged transfers could trigger a wider confrontation, saying the union would mobilise its membership for mass action until the affected teachers are restored to KNUT.

“Our membership is not for poaching. Our rights are not for sale. Our union will defend its members,” he added.

The union concluded its statement with a call for solidarity among its members as the dispute over trade-union membership continues.