Kenya National Union of Teachers Sh1.5b annual income set to rise, but union says it’s not enough

Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) is set to get a major funds injection once the recent decision by the court to effect salaries for teachers is implemented.

Currently, the union receives  at least Sh1.5billion —Sh131 million per month— annually from teachers' remittances alone according to documents seen by The Standard on Saturday, an amount Knut Secretary General Wislon Sossion does not contest.

The union also receives additional funding from development partners to fund various programmes.

But this amount, Knut secretary general Wilson Sossion says, is not enough. Speaking to The Standard on Saturday yesterday, Sossion said even after the Government honours the disputed pay deal; the monthly members' contributions will still not be adequate to finance the union's many operations.

He said slightly more than 61 per cent of the cash the union receives from Teachers Service Commission (TSC), being members' contributions, is disbursed to the 110 branches to finance various activities.

This translates to about Sh80 million. The remaining 38 per cent —about Sh50 million—is used to run the various programmes at the head office.

"Legal fees take huge resources. Our lawyers are big names and that is massive investment to protect the interest of the teachers," said Sossion.

He said the amount Knut spends on its requirements exceeds the money it gets every month.

"Knut does not just exist, it has to work for its members and protect their interests. In fact, we operate in deficit. The needs of our members are massive as set out in the objectives," said Sossion.

The Secretary General said the Knut conducts several technical activities that are not reported. "We run a massive research programme department that does surveys that informs union policies," said Sossion.

On accountability, Sossion said the Annual Delegates Conference has the last word. "You cannot spend union finances without approval of the ADC. The budget and vote heads are displayed on the union's website," said Sossion.