Court temporarily stops KUPPET's nationwide teachers' strike

The Employment and Labour Relations Court has temporarily stopped the nationwide strike by the Kenya Union of Post Primary education Teachers (KUPPET).

This pending the determination of a case filed by Teachers Service Commission (TSC) on Monday, in which the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection is listed as an interested party.

“Pending hearing and determination of the Application inter partes, an order of temporary injunction is granted to the Petitioner, restraining the Respondent, its officials, members, employees, agents, or other person acting on its behalf, from withdrawing labour and / or commencing, engaging in, participating or continuing to participate in the intended industrial action, set to commence or 24th August 2024, or any other time thereafter,” ruled Judge James Rika.

The judge further directed KUPPET and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection to file their responses in the matter within 7 days, setting the mention date as September 5, 2024.

The post-primary teachers commenced their nationwide strike on Monday after the government failed to address their grievances. 

The strike began on the first day of the third term, with teachers staying away from classrooms and taking to the streets in protest.

Their list of demands include the implementation of the second phase of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement, the promotion of teachers, the absorption of Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers on a permanent basis, and the reinstatement of their medical cover.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba Migos has since stated that concerns regarding access to medical cover, career progression guidelines, and promotions are already being addressed administratively by the TSC.