The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) chairman Omboko Milemba has refuted claims that teachers visited State House for money.
Speaking on Citizen TV on Tuesday, Milemba, however, confirmed that each teacher received a Sh10,000 reimbursement from State House.
Milemba said the main reason for the State House visit was to articulate issues affecting the teachers in the country.
He emphasised that the visit was meant to address critical concerns affecting teachers and not to request financial handouts.
I'm disappointed that leaders would be worried that teachers went to State House. That should be something that we should forget about because teachers have a right to visit State House," he said.
"If teachers were given reimbursement even if it was over Sh5,000, teachers never went to State House, really just for money, teachers were going to look at their issues," he said.
When pressed to disclose how much the teachers got, he acknowledged that they were given Sh10,000.
He said a total of 10,000 teachers visited State House, adding that all of them were leaders.
"Transport reimbursement for teachers was Sh10,000," he said.
Milemba said teachers in Kenya made notable strides after their discussions with President William Ruto.
These engagements, he said, led to a revised deal on the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and renewed attention to career progression issues.
Milemba outlined that the CBA, initially valued at Sh33.8 billion and scheduled for payment over four years, will now be disbursed within two years.
“If that happens, that is very good for the teachers of Kenya,” he affirmed.
He further recalled frustrations experienced in the past, noting that when the CBA was signed, teachers received as little as Sh50 per phase.
“To mean the amount per phase was very small, but now in two phases that would be magical,” Milemba said.
On the housing agenda, Milemba clarified that teachers contribute 13 per cent of all funds directed toward the government's affordable housing programme.
He addressed concerns around pay slip deductions and their actual stake in the housing initiative.
He revealed that during a Saturday meeting with the President, it was acknowledged that teachers contribute a significant amount to the housing fund.
In return, teachers are set to receive 20 per cent of the housing units.
