Murang’a Teachers Intensify Strike Amidst Unmet Demands

Teachers in Murang’a County, represented by the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), have vowed to continue their strike until their demands are met by the government.

Michael Gachema, Chair of the Murang’a KUPPET branch, addressed the press, emphasizing that the strike will persist until the government addresses critical issues affecting educators nationwide.

A major concern highlighted by Gachema is the stagnation of over 1,500 teachers from Murang’a who have been in service for more than 15 years without receiving promotions. Despite these teachers having completed the necessary interviews for advancement, they remain unpromoted.

“Promotions for approximately 130,000 teachers across the country are long overdue. Many have endured prolonged delays and negative outcomes from their interviews. It is unacceptable for teachers to work for over 15 years without any career progression,” Gachema stated.

In addition, Gachema criticized the government for failing to implement its promised salary increases by July, leaving teachers with excessive workloads and insufficient compensation.

“Murang’a County teachers have initiated a work boycott today due to the government’s failure to honor its pledge. We were expecting a salary increment starting in July, and our teachers are now refusing to work under such conditions,” Gachema said.

John Mburu, KUPPET Executive Secretary in Murang’a, highlighted another critical issue: the government’s failure to transfer funds to SACCOs and banks over the past six months. Despite ongoing salary deductions for loan repayments, these funds have not reached the respective institutions, negatively impacting teachers’ credit scores and risking their listing with the Credit Reference Bureau.

“Teachers are facing frustration as their loan repayments are not reaching SACCOs and banks. This issue affects their credit scores and may result in being listed with CRB,” Mburu explained.

Mburu also called on the government to allocate funds to the new medical insurance scheme. Teachers are currently using their own money for medical expenses, despite having a medical cover that should be funded by the government.

“The Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) is not functioning effectively for teachers because the government has not provided the necessary funds. This leaves teachers to cover their medical costs out of pocket,” he added.

Furthermore, KUPPET demands the prompt employment of Junior Secondary School interns on permanent and pensionable terms as previously promised.

The union representatives appealed to parents for their understanding, assuring them that teachers will return to their duties once the government addresses these pressing issues.