Message from the National Chairman

On behalf of myself and the National Executive Council of the Kenya National Union of Teachers [KNUT], I wish to felicitate the teachers and more so, the union members on this Golden Jubilee Celebrations today.
I at the same time take the opportunity to thank the National Executive Council, the Branch Executive Committees and the staff both at the National level and branches for their outstanding contributions and team spirit that has culminated into this auspicious occasion.
We are thankful to God for the growth of our union from its humble beginning in 1957 into now a giant union with a membership of over 239,000 teachers.
On behalf of the National Executive Council of KNUT, it gives me great pleasure to welcome all the delegates to the 50th Annual Delegates Conference. All in all, I want to appreciate in a special way the presence and attendance of our both international and local guests who together with our delegates will add value to this years theme “Facing 21st Century with 50 years of Great Service to education”.

George O. Wesonga
Ag. National Chairman
KNUT.

Message from the Secretary General Francis Ng’ang’a
 
The Kenya National Union of Teachers [KNUT] is 50 years today. Since its inception on December, 4 1957, the union has grown from a membership of barely 100 to the current membership of over 239,000. Today, KNUT is one of the biggest and strongest single union in this country. We wish to pay our greatest tribute to the founding fathers of this great union. Those great founders of the union sacrificed and risked a lot to start and help develop it to the level it is in today against all odds since those early days. Most of the people regarded trade unionism as merely a general nuisance in a young country like Kenya.

During all these years, KNUT has fought battle after battle for the rights and welfare of her members who have continued to benefit. It is important for all our members, friends and detractors to appreciate that there is no single achievement which has been attained by teachers without a struggle by KNUT.
KNUT, both as a professional and a trade union organization has continued to struggle to make sure that the teaching profession is accorded its due respect and its rightful position in the society. One of the challenges that must be overcome today is the realization of a better remuneration and better terms and conditions of service for teachers and employment of enough teachers to cope with the work load as a result of the high enrolment of pupils and students in our schools.
KNUT will continue to struggle and fight more battles if necessary, to ensure that teachers are among the best paid professionals in this country.
In this regard, the unity of our members will be critical and recruitment of non members very necessary to make an admirable and effective vehicle to serve her members without any fear or fevour for the basis of centurion celebrations in the year 2057.
May the almighty God
Bless our country, Kenya,
Bless KNUT,
Bless the teaching fraternity,
Bless all Kenyans and all the people of the world.

F.M. Ng’ang’a
Secretary General
KNUT.      
   
Message from the National Treasurer    
Since its inception’ KNUT has grown in reaps and bound with membership ever growing. With branches in literally every district our members have continually received financial services and advice on various issues especially on how to be better equipped and prepared.
Our branches and the leadership of head office have diversified their investment into fields such as real estates with a number of branches owning buildings in their regions.
Other methods of supporting our members have been added to our core functions of protecting the Kenyan teacher in the form of scheme, namely- Burial and Benevolent Fund, Education Fund and SACCOs.
I therefore, take this opportunity to thank all members for their continued support and call upon those not yet members to join us so that we can empower the Kenyan teacher.
Let us together enjoy cerebrating the 50 years Golden Jubilee of Kenya National Union of Teachers’ existence with a positive focus to achieving more in the coming year.

Fred O. Ontere
National Treasurer
KNUT.


KNUT SUPPLEMENT WRITE UPS

KNUT: A union with a bright future
By John Gitari Munyi- National Trustee –KNUT

As we mark our golden jubilee, The Kenya National Union of Teachers can proudly look back and have a reason to cerebrate  the  key role it has played in  not only promoting trade unionism in the country but also its landmark achievements in improving the teaching profession.
Over the years the Union has been in the lead in fighting for improved teachers’ social economic welfare while still upholding the ideals of the teaching profession a thing which has translated to the current standards of education.
The formation of the union some 50 years ago saw the gradual transformation of the teaching profession from almost a state of nothingness to its current formidable state.
KNUT has grown from strength to strength becoming one of the greatest trade unions not only in Kenya but also in Africa and the world.
As we take stock of the past it is important to assess our current strengths while focusing on the future of this great union.
The future of KNUT largely lies on its ability to embrace the modern technology and apply the same effectively to serve and interact with its members and other stakeholder.
Towards this end a union website has been developed. Through the website members of KNUT and other interested parties will be able to among other things interact and learn more about the union’s operations.
As we face the 21st centaury
it’s imperative that all registered teachers in the country irrespective of their grades join the union and participate in strengthening it so as to enable it continue playing its roles effectively.
As we face the future its paramount that all teachers remain united under KNUT.
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KNUT: Moving trade unionism a notch higher BY Silas Nthiga 
Since its inception fifty years ago the Kenya National Union of Teachers has continued to grow from strength to strength becoming a formidable trade union both locally and internationally.
The union through its able leadership has risen from a state of nothingness some fifty years ago into a mighty out fit whose contribution to the teaching profession is unequalled.
Over the years the KNUT has made major strides towards bettering the working conditions of teachers in the country by agitating for their rights oftenly under very difficult circumstances.
The role of KNUT in improving the status of teachers can best be appreciated by looking at its functions and achievements in the last fifty years.
All the privileges and benefits enjoyed by teachers today were fought for by the Union and secured only after the establishment of the Teachers Service Commission as a single employer.
Similarly some of the teachers centered programmes like Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies and the Burial and Benevolent Funds were initiated by the Union.
As we move into the twenty first century, KNUT can proudly look back and enumerate numerous achievements.
In broad terms KNUT has-
•    Fought and secured a single employer for, teachers , namely; the Teachers Service Commission   [TSC];
•    Secured unified and integrated terms and conditions of service for all teachers;
•    Promoted and implemented training programmes aimed at improving both the academic and professional competence of members;
•    Contributed substantially to professional development of education through District Educational Boards, Board of Governors, Kenya Institute of Education  Subject and Course Panels and National Education Committees and Commissions;
•    Promoted initiatives aimed at improving the social economic status of teachers.

On another front the union has fought for and achieved the following
•    Free pensions Schemes for Teachers
•    Automatic house allowances
•    Automatic Medical Allowance
•    Paid maternity leave [60 working days]
•    Scheme of Service for various categories of teachers including Graduates, Non Graduate and technical teachers.
•    Motor vehicle purchase scheme
•    Responsibility allowances
•    Hardship allowances
•    Disturbance allowances
•    Commuter allowances
•    Night allowances while on duty
The union is at all times committed to fighting for the better remuneration of and working conditions for all cadres of teachers in the country and will at no time waiver in ensuring that teachers get what is rightfully due to them.   
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