Don’t subject public servants to dual pension schemes, says KUPPET

Siaya,

Sunday September 24, 2023

KNA by Philip Onyango

The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers, (KUPPET) is faulting the government for arbitrarily subjecting public servants to two different pension schemes against the law.

KUPPET national vice chairman, Julius Korir laments that public servants including teachers were now being forced to contribute to the national Social Security Fund (NSSF) and the Superannuation scheme, adding that the union has instituted legal proceedings against the government and the case was ongoing.

 Korir was speaking at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University, Siaya town campus during the Siaya branch annual General meeting.

He led the union members in demanding the immediate stoppage of NSSF deductions.

At the same time, the unionist faulted politicians and other forces for allegedly interfering with the running of the Teachers Service Commission, adding that it was unfair to have well connected politicians issued with employment letters to dish out to their cronies.

 “We have to protect TSC as an independent commission. The issue of employment letters being dished to members of parliament and politicians left, right and centre must be addressed,” he said.

He called on the cabinet secretary for education, Ezekiel Machogu to ensure that the commission was allowed to perform its mandate without interference from politicians.

 Korir further faulted the ministry of education for giving schools a raw deal in the release of capitation funds, adding that just a fraction of what the government had promised has so far reached the school accounts.

“I want to challenge Machogu to ensure that the right amount is sent to schools,” he said.

Addressing the occasion, Siaya governor, James Orengo hailed trade unions representing the teaching fraternity for their spirit of solidarity in championing their members’ rights.

Orengo said that he was working on a modality of having the representation of KUPPET and KNUT in his government so that they could help champion teachers’ issues.

Siaya KUPPET branch executive secretary, Sam Opondo said the branch was considering putting up a hospital in Siaya for the members as part of a solution to the perennial complains of poor service in both public and private hospitals.

Courtesy; KNA