Uasin Gishu Teachers Disrupt School Amidst Ongoing National Protest Over Unmet Demands
Tensions erupted at Uasin Gishu High School on Monday as teachers engaged in a disruptive protest, forcibly removing their colleagues from classrooms in a high-stakes demonstration over unmet demands.
The unrest was part of a nationwide protest that has seen educators across Kenya express their discontent with the government’s handling of their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
According to reports, a group of protesting teachers led by Uasin Gishu KUPPET secretary Elijah Maiyo entered Uasin Gishu High School to confront colleagues who were still teaching despite ongoing demonstrations.
The situation deteriorated when the protesters commandeered the school’s dining hall, consuming food intended for the teaching staff.
This act led to chaos, with students abandoning their classes to join the protest, accusing the remaining teachers of betrayal. The situation escalated as the targeted teachers, fearing for their safety, were forced to flee.
Maiyo articulated the frustrations driving the protests.
“We cannot stand by while others pretend to maintain normalcy in the classroom. The economic hardship is too severe for us to continue working without fair compensation,” Maiyo stated. He warned that the protests would persist for the entire month unless their demands were met, including the full implementation of the CBA and overdue payments.
The protestors, who marched through Eldoret’s streets, caused substantial traffic disruptions as they chanted solidarity songs. Maiyo emphasized that their demonstration aimed to draw attention to their grievances and urged for immediate action to resolve the issues at hand.
Sosthen Bellat, Chairman of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Uasin Gishu branch, expressed disappointment at the situation, lamenting, “We have left the children to be taught by the world—a sad state of affairs.”
Teacher Lucy Rono highlighted disparities in maternity leave among educators, questioning why some receive different lengths of leave despite similar job roles. “Why the disparity? We are all teachers and deserve equal treatment,” Rono said.
The teachers’ demands encompass improved career progression opportunities, comprehensive medical insurance, and the full honor of their CBA, which they allege has not been adequately addressed. The protests are set to continue as educators seek resolution to their concerns and fair treatment.
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