Teachers in Isiolo protested at the Teachers' Service Commission (TSC) branch office, urging the government to fulfill the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed in 2021.
Moses Kimwere, the chairperson of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Teachers (KUPPET) Isiolo branch, called on the government to take immediate action by hiring 46,000 junior secondary teachers on permanent contracts, promoting 130,000 educators, recruiting 20,000 new teachers, ensuring timely payments to relevant bodies after statutory deductions, and providing adequate medical coverage.
The protesting teachers vowed not to return to the classroom until their grievances were addressed. Kimwere also issued a stern warning to head teachers against intimidating teachers who choose to participate in the national strike.
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"Teachers who attend classes during the strike will be forcibly expelled. Any form of betrayal will not be tolerated," Kimwere stated.
KUPPET branch treasurer Priscilah Wanja expressed concern that the teaching profession's status has deteriorated, leading to a decline in interest among young people in pursuing careers in education. She called for unity among teachers to restore the dignity of their profession.
Daniel Muriuki, a KUPPET member from the Isiolo branch, criticized government departments for providing conflicting information regarding the availability of funds to meet the teachers' demands.
