Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education(KUPPET) demanded an increase in teachers' house allowance following unfairness in allocation.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, January 25, KUPPET Secretary-General(SG) Akelo Misori called on the Salaries and Remuneration Commission(SRC) to equalize the allowances.
He noted that the amount which is usually issued to teachers all over the country should be equal regardless of the region.
“These allowances have been there since the year 2012 and the amounts are not even realistic. Why are you hurrying the discussion between teachers' employer and the union?” Misori questioned.
“Is it fair giving a teacher who lives in Nairobi Ksh3,500? The amount you are issuing will only force teachers to live in slums,” he noted.
The SG further warned that the union would not solve the issue at hand through demonstration but through real strategy.
Echoing his words, KUPPET Deputy Secretary-General Moses Nthurima described the allowances as a mockery to the teachers.
“They need to study the economic index [because] what Ksh6000 could pay for, ten years ago, is not the same as right now,” he argued.
A circular issued by SRC emphasised that the allowances were to work for all public officers.
“The new rates for the house allowances shall apply to all public officers, other than state officers at the national and county government, including state corporations from the scheduled effective date of implementation.
Respective employers in the civil service should initiate Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) with the relevant trade unions in the implementation of the reviewed herein” the circular read in part.
SRC announced that the housing allowance for public officers living in all former major municipalities would be the same.
This comes after KUPPET called for a review of the marking process and laws of national examinations as they cited issues that need to be addressed.
They had also asked the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to provide clear data on the number of teachers who have stagnated in the same job groups for years.
Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) have equally put to task the SRC over its decision to abolish doctors’ contractual earnings and remuneration.
