Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) chairman Omboko Milemba has dismissed allegations that teachers visited State House to collect money, insisting the engagement was centered on critical sector issues.
Speaking on Citizen TV on Tuesday, Milemba admitted that each of the 10,000 teacher leaders who attended the meeting received a Sh10,000 transport reimbursement. However, he stressed that the cash should not be mistaken for a handout.
“Teachers have a right to visit State House. The visit was about dialogue, not money,” he said, adding that it was unfortunate some leaders chose to cast doubt on the purpose of the meeting.
Milemba explained that the discussions with President William Ruto yielded significant outcomes, among them a new arrangement on the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and renewed focus on career progression.
The CBA, initially valued at Sh33.8 billion and structured to be paid over four years, will now be disbursed within two years. “If that happens, it will be very good for the teachers of Kenya,” Milemba noted. He contrasted this with past frustrations, recalling instances when salary increments were as low as Sh50 per phase. “Now, in just two phases, the impact will be magical,” he added.
On housing, Milemba clarified the role of teachers in the government’s affordable housing programme. He revealed that teachers contribute 13 percent of all funds channeled to the scheme and, following talks with the President, are set to benefit directly by receiving 20 percent of the housing units.
“These are the real gains from the meeting,” Milemba concluded, underlining that the engagement was a step forward for the teaching profession rather than a cash-motivated visit.
