KNUT leaders' demands using teachers' plight for personal gain

Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) fresh demands heighten speculations that it’s leaders are using the plight of the teachers for personal political gains.

Teachers have had a long history of fighting for salary increments and better terms of service.

The time has come for teachers to weigh the words and actions of their leaders very carefully.

Recently, speculations have been rife that some of them are using their positions to further selfish political agenda.

For instance, a section of media reports have indicated that a Knut official is allegedly eyeing a political seat in Bomet County.

It is alleged that he will use the ticket of a yet to be unveiled political party that would be launched soon by the local forces opposed to the Deputy President’s leadership.

If this is true, the teachers must be very cautious as history has shown that such people would give little priority to the concerns of their members.

They are ready to cut deals and cleverly compromise on the issues raised so long as their interests are being catered for. Notably, the union leaders earn millions of shillings deducted from their members’ salaries and it is therefore morally wrong to betray them.

{Joseph Mutua Ndonga, Nairobi}

It is emerging that the teachers’ employer, Teachers Service Commission (TSC), looks for a showdown with its former and current employees even when the situation does not demand so.

TSC needs a massive rebranding of its battered image. It should stop operating above the law and abide by court rulings.

It risks being the face of impunity with how it tramples any legal bidding and gets away with it seemingly enjoying some form of protection.

We are waiting to see if talks between the unions and TSC will bear fruit or perennial teachers strikes will be the order of the day next year.

{Paul Kariuki, via email}