This archive report was first published on 7 September 2019.
Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) officials are embroiled in a bitter dispute over control of the Sh1.6 billion monthly funds contributed by teachers, a situation that has brought union operations to a grinding halt and affected teacher morale.
The funds, which are deducted from teachers' salaries, are a significant source of revenue for the union, with Knut records showing that 187,424 members contributed two percent of their monthly basic salary to the union by May this year.
However, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has refused to deduct the money from teachers' salaries and hand it over to Knut since June, citing a recognition agreement.
The dispute has led to a power struggle among top Knut officials, with some pleading to be advanced some of the funds as they wait for dues at the end of the month, sources said.
According to the Knut financial report for the year ended December 31, 2016, the teachers contributed Sh1,027,044,665, which was a drop from Sh1,219,132,796 the previous year.
The amount earned in 2018 will be revealed in December during the annual delegates conference (ADC), with the projected collection being Sh1.62 billion.
Top Knut officials have denied that the infighting has a financial angle to it, although they were cagey on how much they earn.
The union does not rely solely on the funds it receives from teachers; it also has investments across the country that earn it extra revenue.
