Ruto’s Meeting With Teachers’ Union Ends In Acrimony
Kenyan President William Ruto has lately had a series of talks with teachers’ unions in an attempt to secure their support for the contentious 3% housing levy.
President Ruto met with the National Executive Councils of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) in two separate meetings.
While the discussions were intended to establish an agreement, they ended without a result.
Kuppet officials present at the meeting on Saturday reported that no agreement was achieved during the negotiations.
An official, speaking anonymously on behalf of the union, emphasized that the organization was not opposing the levy for the purpose of opposing it, but rather had legitimate objections.
Following the State House discussion, it was agreed that future communication would be handled by the Kuppet national office.
We were unable to reach Secretary-General Akello Misori for comment.
Collins Oyuu, the Kuppet counterpart, kept quiet about the meeting.
However, several Kuppet branches have already informed their members of their position.
According to a communication from the Vihiga branch secretary, Sabala Inyeni, the consultative meeting with the President did not produce beneficial results.
During the conference, many petitions submitted to the National Assembly were presented, underscoring the teachers’ resistance to the planned 3 percent housing levy.
The President, on the other hand, underlined the importance of the housing plan as Kenya Kwanza’s flagship initiative and did not guarantee teachers a salary raise in the coming fiscal year.
Okisai Moffats, the Busia branch secretary, described the meeting as chaotic, claiming that the union’s recommendations and suggestions were all rejected.
The request for a raise to protect teachers from inflation was denied, and the proposal to make the housing plan voluntary was received with the retort that it was mandatory.
Kisii branch secretary Joseph Abincha claimed that President Ruto committed to involve relevant institutions and impacted groups in order to find a solution.
He did not commit to a pay rise, but he did promise a review of salaries when the economy improved.
President Ruto recognized his conversation with Knut members the day before while addressing in Embu.
He shared their concerns about poor pay, mentioning a monthly 3 percent cut equating to 900 Kenyan shillings as an example.
He underlined that the housing charge will mostly benefit the younger generation, potentially including their own children.
Teachers are one of Kenya’s largest categories of government employees, with around 360,000 on the Teachers Service Commission payroll.
The President’s Firm Stand and the Valid Concerns of Teachers
President William Ruto’s recent discussions with teachers’ unions about the contentious 3% housing levy have prompted both excitement and fear among educators.
While the President is adamant about passing the Finance Bill, which contains the levy, teachers’ unions have legitimate concerns about the idea.
The discussions between President Ruto and Knut and Kuppet representatives shed light on the current argument over the housing levy.
The discussion between President Ruto and Knut’s National Executive Council highlighted a significant difference of perspectives.
The union handed a slew of petitions explaining its objection to the housing levy, highlighting the necessity for a pay raise to offset the impact of the deductions.
However, President Ruto stressed the importance of the housing program as a flagship initiative and did not guarantee teachers a salary raise in the near future.
Despite the excellent debate, no agreement was achieved during the meeting, leaving instructors in the dark regarding the housing levy’s future ramifications.
Ruto’s Meeting With Teachers’ Union Ends In Acrimony
