The fall in the membership of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has caught the attention of Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ezekiel Machogu.
Speaking during the 63rd Annual Delegates Conference of the KNUT on Tuesday, December 5, Machogu noted that the membership of the former giant trade union had sharply dropped.
“In the past, this Union has had big numbers, upwards of 200,000 teachers in 2007. I know that these numbers have fallen in recent years, to just about 20,000,” said Machogu.
However, Machogu explained that these numbers will grow if the former giant union continues to unite teachers and provide them with a forum for cooperation.
“The objective of uniting teachers necessarily requires you to bring more teachers together and build your numbers.
I am sure, however, that if the Union continues to deliver quality services and to champion the interests of the teachers effectively, the numbers will grow again,” explained Machogu.
However, the CS said the government will work with KNUT to ensure the education system is functioning, effective and efficient.
“We in the Ministry of Education are open to working together with you, for the sake of your members and for the sake of our children’s education. We look forward to your insights and perspectives, and more importantly, your support,” he said.
Machogu Praises KNUT
Additionally, Machogu commended KNUT, and its leadership, for their achievement since 1957 when the Union was founded.
“While the type of battles that the Union has fought have been evolving over the years, the war has always been the same. The motivation behind all these efforts has been the quest to promote and protect the interests of teachers in Kenya,” stated Machogu.
Further, he stated that changing socio-political and economic landscape, has shaped the strategies and tactics used by KNUT to advocate for the rights of the teachers over the years.
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Besides, he explained that the government values and recognizes the role of trade unions, including KNUT, in socio-economic and political advancement of the country.
According to Machogu, the Unions indirectly fight for the welfare of many other citizens when they agitate for the welfare of their members.
“When the welfare of the teacher improves, for example, we know that the best interest of the learner is also promoted,” said Machogu.
However, he urged KNUT leadership to be mindful of the country’s conditions even as they advance the interests of their members.
Sossion Resignation
The union’s woes intensified after the state pushed out vocal secretary general Wilson Sossion and resigned on June 25, 2021.
Sossion bowed out after a long fight against a section of the KNUT members who wanted him to quit.
“I have outgrown KNUT and now it is my time to transition fully as a politician,” he said then.
However, Sossion explained that the government planned his removal as KNUT secretary general to stop his quest for improvement of the teaching profession.
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In an interview, Sossion said the government turned colleagues against him with the promise of restoring union benefits, which it had earlier withdrawn.
“The government made it clear to them that I, Sossion, was the problem and that if I was removed, the union would be okay,” he said.
“The government had withheld union dues and was threatening members. Union staff were going without salaries. Anyone could have been tempted,” he said.
Furthermore, he said the government had been fighting him for allegedly radicalizing teachers.
Oyuu Takes Over KNUT
Former KNUT Chairman Collins Oyuu who replaced Sossion as Secretary General has not succeeded in making the Union vibrant like it used to be.
Oyuu was elected the new Secretary General on June 26, 2021, a day after Sossion wept and resigned.
He was the only candidate vying for the influential position held by Sossion for nearly eight years.
In the election, Hesbon Otieno was elected (Deputy Secretary-General), Patrick Kariga (Chairperson), James Ndiku (National Treasurer) and Hussein Ali Abdi (Deputy National Treasurer), who were all elected to the respective positions unopposed.
KEWOTA
To better serve the interest of female teachers, a welfare society for Kenyan women teachers called Kenya Women Teachers Association (KEWOTA) was formed in 2007.
KEWOTA was formed with the sole purpose of giving the female teachers and their families financial, social, and economic opportunities to improve their living standards.
Further, it was meant to sponsor and mentor women teachers to reach great height in life.
Also, it champions, facilitates, and coordinates development projects for its members.
According to their website, KEWOTA has over 80,000 members across the country.
In addition, KEWOTA lobbies, notifies, and sponsors female teachers in Investment opportunities.
