Finally Oyuu to retire this year as Knut delegates oppose 65 year retirement age

Finally Oyuu to retire this year as Knut delegates oppose 65 year retirement age

Chaos continue to rock the former giant teachers union. Yesterday the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) delegates opposed the proposed constitution amendment that extend retirement age of union officials from 60 to 65 years.

Tthe delegates protested against the resolution to increase the retirement age from 60 to 65 that Collins Oyuu and other officials proposed when they met in Malindi last year .

A section of members walked out of a Special Delegates Conference (SDC) at the Kasarani Stadium Indoor Arena.

But Secretary-General Collins Oyuu insisted the union will implement the resolution, which was among the 15 that had been suggested by the National Executive Council (NEC) in their past meetings.

However delegates shouted him down as he gave his speech. They shouted ‘go home’ ‘go home’ ‘go home’ and finally walked out protesting.

Oyuu will be age 60 years in three months time and teachers feel he and his allies have sneaked this amendment so that they can overstay in office to cut deals and trade horses.

Most teachers are also frustrated with Oyuu for signing a non-monetory Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and allowing the controversial Teacher Professional Development (TPD) to be launched.

Video showing Knut Delegates protesting proposed amendment

The proposal to change retirement age was under resolution number 11 of allowing NEC to conduct minimal constitutional amendments.

The last review was done on December 2015, seven years down the line. Prior to that, there was a review in 2010 and 2013 even as the Constitution demands that it is reviewed after every five years to capture emerging issues and to expunge those articles that are obsolete.

Sixty is the same age the Teachers Service Commission has set for the retirement of its employees.

“We had come to the special delegates conference, everything went well until the proposal to increase the retirement age from 60  to 65 came, which we have refused. This is because it has been imposed on us and that is why we have walked out in anger,” said a female delegate who requested anonymity.

Another delegate said: “When you have retired, you cease to be a teacher, so if you extend your term of service, whom are u representing? It means you will be going to lead teachers when you are not a teacher and this means TSC will not recognise you,” added another female delegate.

“The procedure of a meeting is when you want to oppose something, you bring in a statement and there must be someone to second it. But nobody came to the microphone to second it.” said Oyuu.

Oyuu close ally Stanley Mutai who is the current Knut first vice national chairman is also faced with retirement due to his age.

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