KNUT Calls Off Planned Strike, Directs Teachers To Report To Work: "Agreed To Withdraw Notice"

• On Sunday, August 25, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) suspended their planned industrial action
• KNUT secretary general Collina Oyuu said the decision to call off the strike meant to give the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) time to address the union's major demands
• Oyuu said the union shall revert to the initial position if the teacher's employer fails to address all their concerns

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi—The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has suspended its planned strike, which was to commence on Monday, August 26.

Why KNUT called off their strike

In a press briefing on Sunday, August 25, KNUT secretary general Collina Oyuu said the union had agreed to withdraw their earlier strike notice.

Oyuu said there has been progress in addressing the issues they raised and that they are committed to resolving all of them.

The KNUT boss said the decision to call off the strike was made to give the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) time to address the workers' major demands.

"The NEC has therefore, today August 25, 2024, agreed to withdraw the strike action notice which was elapsing midnight August 25, 2024, since we have commenced addressing the remaining matters administratively. In light of the latest developments, we direct our teachers to resume duty effective Monday, August 26, 2024," Oyuu said.

He urged teachers to report to their work station, adding that the union would re-activate the strike notice if TSC fails to address all their issues.

"Meanwhile we assure our members that the union is committed to resolve the matters herewith failure to which we shall revert to the initial position since the strike notice has only been withdrawn," KNUT said.

When will government employ JSS teachers on permanent terms

Meanwhile, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi apologised for his previous comments regarding the permanent employment of 20,000 Junior Secondary teachers.

Mbadi admitted he was misinformed about the budgetary status of these teachers and clarified that his earlier remarks were meant to reflect the current cash shortfall, which could affect salary payments from July to December.

He emphasised that the transition to permanent employment, scheduled for January 2025, has already been accounted for in the budget.

Mbadi also noted that the TSC has been informed about these changes.

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke