Misori Defends Himself, Says KUPPET Executive Board Halted Strike, Not Him.
Akelo Misori, Secretary General of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), has maintained that the union’s decision to put off the teacher’ strike on Monday was not his own. Several KUPPET executive members have accused Misori of betrayal, but Misori believes these accusations are hypocritical.
He stated that the executive council called off the strike after extensive engagement with members, and the Teachers Service Commission agreed to accept their demands. “The mandate we executed was not Akelo’s mandate; Akelo speaks on behalf of the executive board,” Misori says.
According to the KUPPET Secretary General, at their most recent meeting, county executive members who are members of the National Governing Council gave the executive board power to negotiate with the Teachers Service Commission and sign a return-to-work formula.
Misori expressed amazement that certain KUPPET members, who have executive board authority to deal with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), are suddenly criticizing the board for calling off the strike.
He stated that the union leadership was able to negotiate a deal with the TSC on several topics that prompted the teachers to go on strike. Misori has urged the teachers to persevere, vowing to pursue their demands until they are all satisfied.
Resign for Betraying Teachers, KUPPET Officials Tells Misori
Just a after the Kenya Union of Post Primary Teachers (KUPPET) ended its two-week nationwide strike, cracks have arisen inside the union over what some officials see as betrayal by their top leadership.
Teachers representing counties in the Central, Western, Rift Valley, and Nyanza regions told the media at a news conference in Kisumu on Tuesday that KUPPET Secretary General Akello Misori failed to follow the proper processes while calling off the strike.
They thus sought Misori’s immediate resignation for making the decision, which the officials felt was not in the best interests of their members.
The teachers insisted that they had not called off the strike and that the industrial action would continue notwithstanding Misori’s pronouncement.
“We have not called off the strike; the strike is still on; give us the minutes that show we called off the strike,” paused Joseph Abicha, Secretary General of the KUPPET Kisii Branch.
Abicha questioned, “You cannot tell us that we will meet and ratify after calling off the strike. Which comes first?” Abicha questioned.
Abicha stated that they expected the organ’s National Governing Council to convene and make a decision on whether to suspend the strike.
The instructors also questioned Misori’s decision not to inform the National Governing Council of the arrangement with the government prior to making any statements.
“Teachers are not like electrical switches; you can have them on the road and wake up one day to tell them to stop doing whatever they are doing.” Sabala Inyeni, one of the Vihiga officials, faces charges.
ALSO READ: Sossion Calls For Review of New University Funding Model
The instructors apologized to the parents for the incident but stated that they would continue with their industrial action.
“To the parents, I understand that this has been a challenging period for you, but we cannot make any promises about the future as we continue to push forward until we achieve all our expectations.” Abicha urged.
Misori announced on Monday that the administration will suspend the strike to address issues promised to KUPPET leaders.
Misori Defends Himself, Says KUPPET Executive Board Halted Strike, Not Him.
