Knut's office sought Raila's help from the impasse with the TSC

The Kenya National Teachers Union (KNUT) official has now requested intervention from ODM leader Raila Odinga to help overcome the cold relations with the Teacher Service Commission (TSC).

Six branch executive secretaries, four national executive council members and one branch chairman from the Nyanza region on Tuesday met Odinga in his office on Capitol Hill Square.

Rachuonyo Branch Executive Secretary Eliud Ombori led the delegation.

In a statement, Odinga spokesman Dennis Onyango said the meeting took place at the request of Knut officials.

Among other matters, officials sought Mr Odinga's advice and intervention in the cold relations between their union and the TSC.

Cold relations have seen TSC stop remissions from union contributions to Knut for two months now, with no clear end in sight.


Union officials also requested Pak Odinga's intervention in the case of around 280 teachers, including Knut officials who were banned earlier this year for not attending a one-day workshop in April.

Odinga assured trade union officials that he had tried to help bring all parties to the negotiating table and ensure a harmonious relationship between Knut, TSC and the Ministry of Education.

While pledging to continue to be involved in this issue, Odinga asked KNUT to continue to give priority to dialogue and negotiations before turning to strikes.

"I urge unions to end internal squabbles and focus on serving members," Odinga said.

And the NEC meeting set for Thursday was pushed forward with Mr Sossion saying the move was to allow negotiations to resolve the deadlock.