The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) wants members to get their retirement benefits before leaving service. The union’s Secretary General, Mr Lawrence Majali expressed concern that many teachers die before getting their retirement benefits due to bureaucracy in processing them after quitting.

"Retirement benefits take too long to be processed after one leaves service or they come too late which makes them of no use to the beneficiary," Majali told an Annual General Meeting for Kisii Branch at Gusii Institute of Technology on Friday. The unionist petitioned the government to ensure the retirement dues are ready before the teachers click the retirement age wondering why it took so long to give out the money yet there are records indicating when each will quit public service.

Majali also put the government on notice over the teachers’ remaining 20 per cent salary increment saying it should be honoured before October.  He lobbied for teachers assigned library duties to be given special allowances because they handled hectic assignments. 

The union said stern action would be taken against officials who connive to swindle teachers’ welfare monies. "We are going to crack the whip on corrupt teachers elected to represent members but end up siphoning money," a bitter Majali warned. He was reacting to last week’s suspension of burial and benevolent fund (BBF) officials in Kisii over alleged mismanagement of funds. Branch executive secretary, Shem Nyaundi said Sh900, 000 were withdrawn from the bank in unclear circumstances forcing them to move to court to stop further withdrawals.  Majali directed the branch to meet on September 3, this year and form an interim committee to run the fund as the issue is being addressed. Nyanza Knut chairman, Geoffrey Mogire called for regular auditing of the teachers schemes to guard against misuse of funds.