The row between giant Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) and Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) has escalated.
This is after more than 18,000 school principals and deputies moved from TSC to Kuppet as the differences between the two continue to take centre stage in the education sector.
The two bodies are yet to agree on the pay rise, which was expected to be undertaken in July. The teachers, who have decided to jump ship are among those who were set to benefit from Sh13 billion pay rise as the government embarks on the implementation of the 2017-2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The move comes a day after officials from both Unions met Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga in a bid to resolve the stalemate.
Raila had urged the two bodies to ensure that they resolve their differences through dialogue. Raila’s spokesman, Dennis Onyango said that the meeting came after a request from the members of the two sides.
He said that Raila has appealed to the unions to ensure that they address the matter with immediate effect to end the crisis in the education sector.
Cotu Secretary-General Francis Atwoli has also appealed to the teachers to address the matter.
“COTU (K) reiterates that the differences exhibited within the leadership of Knut are not in the interest of the teachers they serve and we caution the entire leadership of Knut against falling prey to divisive politics from external forces out to wreck the union,” Atwoli said in a statement.