Kudos to Teachers Service Commission for breaking the ice and visiting unions

The recent visit by Teachers Service Commission (TSC) officials to teachers' unions offices was refreshing. None other than TSC Chairperson Lydia Nzomo and Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia led the delegation.

The visit heralded a new way of employers reaching out to employees' unions in Kenya.

From the look of it, we may have as well put the ghosts of teachers' strikes behind us for good. For many years, the engagements between TSC and the unions has been characterised by deep suspicion from both ends.

The visits to Knut and Kuppet offices opened a new chapter of engagement worth emulating by Kenyan employers.

I was thrilled to see the pictures — that went viral on social media — of Ms Nzomo and Ms Macharia sharing a light moment with union officials.

I hope these visits laid the foundation for bonding and mending fences so that the two parties can cordially look into issues affecting the teaching profession.

It is, therefore, paramount for Knut and Kuppet to take cue from TSC, change tack and rethink their strategies while agitating for attractive packages from the Government.

TSC has shown that it can come down and initiate the healing process following the last strike in September.