Asal Teachers Split from Knut and Kuppet Over ‘Neglect’

FOLLOW US ON

Asal Teachers Split from Knut and Kuppet Over ‘Neglect’

Teachers in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (Asal) have started their own trade union, citing years of neglect by mainstream teacher unions.

In a letter to the Registrar of Trade Unions, representatives Anthony Mabonga and Mohamed Muhumed have applied for a Promotion Certificate to register the Kenya Union for Asal Teachers (Kuat).

The proposed union will represent teachers in counties designated as Asal by the government, including Turkana, Mandera, Marsabit, Garissa, Wajir, Isiolo, Samburu, Baringo, Tana River, West Pokot and Kitui. Its scope will also cover other areas listed as Asal by the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA).

“The attached application is for a Promotion Certificate for the formation of the Kenya Union for Asal Teachers (Kuat), a proposed trade union that will represent teachers in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (Asal) counties across Kenya,” reads part of the August 8 application letter.

The promoters argue their members are a distinct, unrepresented segment of the teaching profession. They say while current unions cover broad categories, none is constitutionally mandated to advocate solely for Asal-based teachers who face unique challenges.

Existing unions include the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut), Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet), Kenya National Union of Private School Teachers, and the Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (Kusnet). “Existing teacher unions primarily represent teachers based on general employment categories — primary, secondary, special needs or post-secondary — and none have a constitutionally enshrined mandate for teachers in Asal areas,” the application notes.

Security risks, harsh climate and need for special professional support are among the challenges the proposed union wants to address. The document says security allowances, risk insurance, hardship pay and special training are not prioritised by current unions.

Kuat’s founders have submitted all necessary documents — national ID copies, draft constitution and sector representation — and are asking the registrar to process their application within the 30-day period under the Labour Relations Act, 2007.

If approved, Kuat will be the first body to solely defend the rights and welfare of teachers in some of Kenya’s toughest environments.This comes just weeks after Asal-based teachers went to court to sue the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) over unfair promotion. The case seeks to stop the TSC from implementing a decision that has reportedly left them out of the current promotion cycle which started this year.

The Kenya Teachers in Hardship and Arid Areas Welfare Association (Kethawa) claims 1,864 teachers from counties such as Samburu, Marsabit, Garissa, Isiolo, Wajir, Lamu, Turkana, Mandera and Tana River were left out of the January 2024–2025 promotion list despite 25,000 promotions being announced.

They say this could damage morale, disrupt education services in hardship areas and trigger industrial action in affected areas.

Also Read: Police Probe Parcel Containing Human Fingers in Eldoret

Asal Teachers Split from Knut and Kuppet Over ‘Neglect’