Court temporarily halts teachers' strike

KUPPET and JSS teachers in Kirinyaga protest outside Kirinyaga county commissioner's headquarters in Kerugoya. [Timothy Kariuki, Standard]

The Employment and Labor Relations Court has temporarily halted the nationwide teachers' strike.

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) filed a case yesterday against the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET).

In response, Judge James Rika issued an order stopping the industrial action pending a hearing and determination of the case. 

“An order of temporary injunction is granted to the petitioner, restraining the respondent, its officials, members, employees, agents, or any other person acting on its behalf, from withdrawing labor and/or commencing, engaging in, participating in, or continuing with the intended industrial action set to start on August 24, 2024, or any other time thereafter,” the judge stated.

Initially, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and KUPPET had planned to begin their strike on Monday, August 26 to coincide with the reopening of schools for the third term. 

However, the education sector has been thrown into confusion as KUPPET insists the strike is on, while KNUT members reported to schools.

The unions accused the TSC of failing to fully implement the 2021/25 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). 

KUPPET is demanding the immediate promotion of 130,000 teachers who have stagnated in their current job grades, as well as the immediate transition of all intern teachers to permanent status, effective July 2024.

Judge Rika has directed KUPPET and the Labor Court to file their respective responses within seven days of service. 

The case will be mentioned on September 5.