West Pokot Leaders Urge Talks To Stop Planned Teachers’ Strike

By Benson Aswani,

Sigor Member of Parliament Peter Lochakapong has called on the teachers’ unions to stop the impending strike before schools re-open for the third term.

Speaking on Tuesday at Soka in Sigor constituency Mr. Lochakapong asked the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) to be mindful of the fate of the candidates who are expected to sit for their final exams.

The lawmaker said that the nation is currently going through a difficult financial period after the rejection of the 2024 financial bill that had allocated a large amount of money to the education sector that would be used to implement the 2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

“I urge the teachers to be mindful of our children. This is the term that they have to sit for their final exams and the strike that our teachers are planning will jeopardize their preparations,” said Mr. Lochakapong.

Lochakapong’s statement was emphasized by the former governor of West Pokot County Prof John Lonyangapuo, who asked the teachers to give a chance to negotiations that will reach a consensus on an array of grievances raised and emphasized the importance of proactive measures to maintain industrial harmony.

“Teachers should give a chance to negotiations to reach consensus. This is a time when our children are supposed to have a humble time to prepare for their final exams,” said Mr. Lonyangapuo.

The unions have raised concerns about delays in retirement benefits payments, teachers’ medical schemes, and non-remittance of SACCO and loan deductions.

They are also pushing for the permanent employment of intern teachers.