Drama as striking teachers demand audience with Mudavadi

Kuppet Vihiga branch Secretary General Sabala Inyeni addresses teachers in Mbale on August 28, 2024. [Brian Kisanji, Standard]

There was drama in Vihiga after striking teachers stormed the governor’s office and demanded audience with Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.

The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) branch secretary general Sabala Inyeni led hundreds of teachers to the governor’s office where Mudavadi was held up for almost an hour.

The Prime Cabinet Secretary had paid a courtesy call on Vihiga Governor Wilber Ottichilo before heading to Mbale High School where he was to officially open the Western Region Diaspora Job Fair.

Mudavadi arrived at the county headquarters minutes past 11 am and immediately he was ushered in, the teachers stormed the premises chanting the union's slogans and demanded audience with him.

Sabala said the industrial action that began on Monday to protest over pay, delayed promotions, and working conditions among other grievances would continue despite efforts by the Teacher Service Commission (TSC) to persuade them to call it off.

The teachers are demanding implementation of the second phase of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement and employment of Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers on permanent and pensionable terms.

"We will stay here until Mudavadi addresses our grievances, we demand that the government honours the CBA and stop intimidating the teachers," said Sabala.

Efforts by Vihiga county police commander Peter Kattam to have the teachers leave the premises bore no fruits as they vowed to stay put until Mudavadi addresses them.

"We want Mudavadi to tell us what his government is doing to resolve our grievances, failure to which we will make sure he doesn't carry out his public relations activity at Mbale High School," said one of the teachers.

The Prime Cabinet Secretary was forced to address the teachers.

"We have received the petition from your leaders and now as I sit in the Cabinet I will advocate for resolution of this standoff," he said.

Mudavadi was whisked away through the back gate of the governor’s offices and driven to Mbale High School.

The teachers later proceeded to Chavakali market.

Mudavadi was accompanied by a host MPs and local leaders. 

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