By Reuben Olita
The Kenya National Union of Teachers has withdrawn teachers from schools in Kerio Valley over insecurity concerns.
Addressing the press after the KNUT Teso Teachers Burial and Benevolent Scheme 21st Annual General Meeting held at KNUT Amagoro Hall on Saturday, KNUT National vice chairman, Aggrey Namisi said no teacher will be allowed in class from Monday (today) until the government assures its members of adequate security.
” We can’t allow teachers to be in class without assurance of their security in the wake of banditry attacks that led to the killing of a Catholic priest,” Namisi noted.
KNUT Teso Branch Executive Secretary Geoffrey Ekasiba said the country has lost a priest, adding that the government should provide tough conditions in Kerio Valley that can give priority to the teachers.
Namisi told the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to be serious in the promotion of teachers, adding that corruption was riddled in the recent promotion of 25,000 teachers, lauding Parliament for ordering that the exercise be conducted afresh.
The commission needs to be serious. Out of those promoted, 8,000 had stayed at their working stations for less than 6 months, whereas those who had been in the same grade for 3 years were left out.
Namisi told JSS teachers to read their letters of appointments, which dictates that collecting funds is not the duty of JSS teachers lest it would have legal implications.
Namisi told the county education board to ensure it carters for childrens sporting activities. Schools are being paid, Ksh 5,000 instead of Ksh11,000. Teachers who took their teams to Mombasa in January have not been paid.
Ekasiba called for justice to be done, noting that those who scored highly were not given those positions.
” It’s painful that teachers with recent TSC numbers were considered compared to those with old numbers. Teachers who have served for long deserved respect. Some headteachers have masters degrees, thus the need by such teachers to be respected by JSS teachers and work in collaboration with such senior teachers,” Ekasiba said.
In the resolutions read by Vice Secretary General Okumu Bonface, the teachers resolved for a forensic audit of the books of accounts,and subsequently, the same report be forwarded to the DCI for necessary investigations on acts of former officials.
The members also recommended that the office be reduced to four members and administration reduced and excess funds used to pay retirees.
Retirees be refunded on a prorata basis, and bus charges be reviewed downwards, while members of the BBS be availed with insurance cover, among others.
BBS chairman Cain Emojong encouraged those who have not made decisions to rejoin the scheme and also join hands in recruiting new members to better its services.
He assured members that the scheme is there to stay, and very soon, they will reap better fruits in they bid to grow BBS into a giant scheme.
Mr Emojong revealed that from 2022-2025, 142 colleagues left the service due to compulsory retirement on age grounds, adding that the death rate in the current financial year hit 58 with deaths of 7 members , 3 spouses, 4 children and 45 parents.
Earlier in a brainstorming session before the arrival of key guests, BBS members raised pertinent issues to the KNUT Executive Secretary, Mr Geoffrey Ekasiba demanding for radical changes, to restore parity in the teachers union.
Austin Odeke claimed BBS is an active crime scene that calls for a forensic audit and the involvement of the DCI’s involvement, demanding how much embezzled.
He demanded the Executive Secretary to write to the DCI to establish what is happening, adding that those found calpable must be investigated.
” Our honourable SG, if you are not careful, you will carry your own cross. I am thinking of my own investment. In the next 10 years, there will be no BBS, ” he claimed.
Mr Godfrey Omukule, aka Ninja, claimed that many of the former officials have constructed kouses, drive posh cars, adding that those who embezzled money for the dead face eternal doom.
” Thieves must go to book. We need a forensic audit. Today’s meeting must bring culprits to book.”
Mr Daniel Ogoti urged the KNUT leadership to take them to the insurance, which is more important to them to avoid th squandering of their money.
He alleged Ksh 15,000 members dead parents are paid, and Ksh40,000 for members is too little to feed even 100 teachers, calling for an operational hospital to serve teacher.
Ekasiba admitted members have spoken, noting that all proposals are healthy for the scheme, which needs total support.
” Inaugural Secretary Generals Osiya ( Albert) and Okwara ( Ekirapa) did a good job. I will not allow the BBS to die under my hands,” he assured.
Ekasiba said under his reign, he reduced allowances from Ksh2,500 to Ksh1,000 to salvage the scheme, adding that they will also consider members proposals of reducing the number of the management Committee and hiring of the BBS bus.
To boost the schemes’ income, Mr Ekasiba said that they have identified an investor to construct a level 4 hospital in Kamuriai, describing it as a milestone for the 651 members.
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