For instructors accused of having relationships with students, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has asked for thorough, trustworthy investigations.
On July 20, 2022, KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu stated during a media event at the union’s headquarters at KNUT House in Nairobi that the majority of times, the accused teachers had never been given the chance to defend themselves.
“This trend can only be done away with if structured, reliable and dependable investigations are carried out and the right culprits apprehended.
He further suggested that a representative from teachers’ trade union be on board while handling disciplinary cases on the accused teachers, to give then moral support.
Oyuu has further suggested that the affected teachers should be allowed to bring witnesses in their defense. .
“KNUT has also proposed that teachers be allowed to have witnesses with them as they face disciplinary cases; this is because in most cases, the accused teachers have never been given opportunities to prove themselves beyond reasonable doubt over the cases affecting them. If possible; a trade union representative be on board to support the teachers on trial morally,” said the union boss.
In order to support the accused teachers morally, he also recommended having a trade union representative present when handling disciplinary procedures against them.
Oyuu has also advocated for allowing the impacted teachers to call witnesses in their defense.
“KNUT has also proposed that teachers be allowed to have witnesses with them as they face disciplinary cases; this is because in most cases, the accused teachers have never been given opportunities to prove themselves beyond reasonable doubt over the cases affecting them. If possible; a trade union representative be on board to support the teachers on trial morally,” said the union boss.
The purpose of the media briefing was to inform members of the union’s progress in the union-TSC relationship while also shedding light on current concerns that were discussed at the Naivasha retreat with employer Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and potential remedies.
It was also suggested that a TSC and KNUT Sub-consultative Committee be established to assess disciplinary cases in order to aid instructors who feel wronged by the standard procedure.
The affected instructors shouldn’t be found guilty without a trial, according to Oyuu, even though they do not support Canal Knowledge (CK), and disciplinary proceedings outlined in the code of regulations should be fairly heard and thoroughly investigated
“It should come out clearly and explicitly that KNUT-Kenya does not support nor condone canal knowledge. But this does not deprive the affected teachers of their fundamental and basic right by being convicted unheard. It has come out that most accusations especially on canal knowledge are done out of witch-hunt,” said Oyuu.
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