How KNUT Roared Back to Its Lost Glory

The turnaround began after the 2021 elections, which ushered in a new leadership team and a new philosophy of engagement.
By February 2022, signs of recovery were already evident, after the newly constituted National Executive Council (NEC) launched a massive membership recruitment drive, reversing years of decline.

At that time, membership surged to over 114,000 within weeks of the campaign, signalling renewed confidence among teachers.
Central to KNUT’s resurgence has been a deliberate shift from confrontation to cooperation with the employer.Mr Oyuu noted that the relationship between KNUT and the TSC today bears little resemblance to the hostility of previous years.

“As we speak, the relationship between TSC and KNUT is very sound. We have come up strongly, not to shout at each other, but to talk to each other, employing the principle of social dialogue, which has allowed us to go far and wide,” he said to cheering delegates gathered at Kasarani in December last year.

The improved relationship was evident at the conference itself, where KNUT invited the TSC leadership to engage with delegates.
Although acting CEO Evaleen Mitei was out of the country, she promptly assigned TSC Director Dr Reuben Nthamburi to address the gathering, an act that underscored the thawed relations between the two institutions.

“Our business as a union is to advocate for better terms and conditions of service for our members by sitting with the employer to get things done, and that has happened,” he noted.

The latest indication of the cordial relationship between the Knut and TSC is in reviews made on the recognition agreement during a retreat In Naivasha, that cleared head teachers and deputy head teachers to join the union and contest for leadership positions.

The 2021 Recognition Agreement signed between the KNUT and TSC included a clause that institutional administrators, specifically head teachers and those acting in that capacity shall not be members of the union.

This exclusion from recognition as union members under the 2021 agreement, in turn, affected their ability to participate in union governance, since holding union office requires valid membership.

“As we speak today from our sitting in Naivasha some two days ago, where we cleared the gray areas, head teachers and deputy head teachers shall remain to be members of the Union and are allowed to contest positions to lead in the 110 branches,” he said.

Under the agreement, the KNUT was required to have reduced its branches from 110 to 47 by the year 2026.

KNUT Chairman Patrick Karinga credited the revival to collective effort, disciplined leadership, and loyalty from members.

“As we approach the end of term of the current leadership, I confidently state that the union has been vibrant in meeting its Vision, Mission, and Core Values, which has led KNUT to post phenomenal growth in all spheres of its mandate,” he said.

While, noting that KNUT’s status within the trade union movement has been restored locally, regionally, and globally,he urged members to maintain unity as election campaigns begin.

Mr Karinga called for issue-based politics rather than personal attacks, saying campaigns should not tear the general membership apart, rather be a unifying factor.

The Kenya National Union of Teachrs (KNUT) is scheduled to hold its next general branch and national elections in 2026 as part of the union’s five-year electoral cycle.

Nairobi Branch Secretary Macharia Mugwe while delighting at the restoration of lustre and vibrancy at the union attributes it to leadership change and internal reforms.

“When Oyuu took over, many felt he was colourless, but he has proved himself worthwhile, because he is approachable, listens, is diplomatic, and not abusive like his predecessor,” he said.

Mr Mugwe also highlighted constitutional reforms that ended infighting by allowing elected officials to complete their terms, restoring harmony within the union.

Democratic elections, the end of leadership wrangles, and visible gains in teacher promotions have further reinforced members’ faith in KNUT.

Chairman Kessha Wily Kuria, also addressing the delegates conference, emphasised the renewed relevance of KNUT in addressing emerging issues in the education sector.

“The KNUT voice is very crucial and very relevant in addressing emerging issues such as intern teachers, school capitation, and teacher promotions,”Mr Kuria said.

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