This archive report was first published on 27 August 2019.
On August 27, 2019, Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) officials met with ODM leader Raila Odinga at his Capitol Hill Square offices to seek his help in addressing the frosty relations with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
The delegation, led by Rachuonyo Branch executive secretary Eliud Ombori, included six branch executive secretaries, four national executive council members, and one branch chairman from Nyanza region.
The meeting was held at the request of the KNUT officials, who sought Mr. Odinga's advice and intervention in the standoff between their union and the TSC.
Among the issues they discussed was the TSC's decision to stop remission of union dues to KNUT for two months, with no clear end in sight.
The union officials also sought Mr. Odinga's intervention in the case of about 280 teachers, including KNUT officials who were interdicted earlier this year for having missed a one-day workshop in April.
Mr. Odinga assured the union officials that he has been trying to help bring all the parties to the negotiating table and ensure a harmonious relationship between KNUT, TSC, and the Ministry of Education.
He appealed to KNUT to continue giving priority to dialogue and negotiations before resorting to strikes, saying, 'I appeal to the union to end internal wrangles and focus on serving members.'
