Teachers Want Leave to Vie for Political Seats
Malel Lang'at (Right) at a KNUT function. (Photo/ Courtesy)
By George Otieno
Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com
Teachers are demanding to be given official leave so as to allow them participate in vying for electoral seats come 2027 general election.
Through their Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) national deputy secretary general Malel Langat, the teachers said they wanted to vie for six seats without losing their teaching certificates or jobs like other professionals such as lawyers and doctors.
“As it is now, the laws state that you must resign first before vying for electoral seats, but we feel this should be changed so that those vying can teachers go back to their jobs,” he said.
According to the secretary the union is proposing for a 90-day leave for electioneering period.
“This 90 days is for serious campaign and elections. If they don’ make it, they are still cushioned by their jobs.”
Speaking in Mombasa during KNUT Kilindini branch AGM on May 3, 2025, Mr Malel asked Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to promotes teachers who have stayed in one job group for a period of three years.
At the same time, he demanded for a 60 percent salary increment for its latest collective bargaining agreement 2025-2029 proposal.
“We demand a 30 percent increment in allowances and 30 percent increment in our basic salaries,” he said.
The secretary also called for the implementation of risk allowance to science teachers handling junior secondary schools (JSS).
