Kwale teachers protest over unmet CBA promises, demand pay hike and better conditions

Teachers in Kwale County have protested the government's failure to honour the second phase of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Kwale Branch Executive-General Leonard Oronje spearheaded the demonstration, and educators have pledged to continue their strike until their demands are met.

Oronje underlined many main reasons that sparked the demonstration.

"We are pushing for the promotion of the remaining 21% of teachers who have been stuck in the same job group for too long. We also demand the confirmation of intern and Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers, as well as the rapid restitution of cash collected from our SACCO and NHIF contributions," Oronje stated.

Teachers' discontent is exacerbated by their financial problems.

"98 per cent of our professors are registered under CRB due to unpaid debts," Oronje disclosed.

Oronje also requested the rapid transfer of NHIF funding.

"Our teachers are dying as a result of the lengthy approval process. We are also having challenges with our medical coverage, which has resulted in unfortunate delays in treatment for some of our colleagues. A doctor urges a teacher to be admitted and operated on, but someone in Nairobi believes the matter can be handled at home," he stated.

Mukasa Amboko, a teacher who participated in the demonstration, criticised the absence of professional advancement chances.

"It is only in TSC where you find a comedy of acting positions," Amboko observed. Have you ever encountered an acting OCS or OCPD? It is intolerable for instructors to be stuck in acting roles for years when the legislation allows for a maximum of six months."

The demonstration also highlighted the predicament of professors with advanced degrees who are not fully recognised.

"Teachers with master's and PhD degrees deserve special consideration. It is disheartening to see our colleagues with high qualifications sidelined while those with less experience are promoted," Oronje said.

In addition, the demonstrators are pushing for a reassessment of the career development standards published in 2017, which they claim have not addressed their concerns.

"Despite our efforts to communicate with the CEO, Director, and other TSC representatives, nothing has changed. We're here to air our issues and ask KNUT CEO Nancy Macharia to take action. "We will continue our strike until at least some of our demands are met," Oronje stated.

Teachers have also expressed displeasure with appointment methods, pointing out that deputy principals who have served in Kwale for long periods are frequently neglected in favour of those from neighbouring counties.

"We have teachers acting as principals for over five years, only to be demoted when a substitute from outside is appointed," Oronje informed us. "This practice must end."

The demonstrators also want equitable compensation for JSS instructors, who are paid only Sh 17,000, which is considered low in comparison to other professions such as medical interns.

"It is wrong that JSS instructors earn so little whereas interns in other industries are paid substantially more. We must address these disparities to ensure respect and fairness for our educators," Amboko contended.

The protracted strike shows deep-seated grievances among Kwale's teachers, who are demanding significant reforms and a more equitable system of recognition and reward.

Until their demands are met, the teachers have stated that they will remain steadfast in their pursuit of the respect and fair treatment they believe they deserve.