KNUT’s Objection to Triple Pension Deduction
Patrick Karinga Munuhe, the National Chairman of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), has voiced strong objections to the multiple pension deductions imposed on teachers. Munuhe has outlined three types of pension deductions affecting teachers and criticized their impact on the profession.
Types of Pension Deductions
Provident Fund: Deducted at a rate of 7.5%.
Standard Deduction: An established and mandatory deduction.
National Social Security Fund (NSSF): The third type of pension deduction.
Key Issues Raised by Munuhe
Disclosure of Pay Stubs: Munuhe highlighted a significant issue with the transparency of teachers’ pay stubs, referring to them as “leaking.”
Loan Access Barrier: The deductions prevent teachers from meeting the one-third rule, which is a threshold for loan eligibility from various savings and credit cooperative societies (saccos). This rule stipulates that deductions from a teacher’s salary should not exceed two-thirds of their gross pay.“Due to the one-third regulation, none of these teachers may apply for a loan in any of our saccos; we cannot reach that requirement. We have a significant issue,” Munuhe stated.
Criticism of TSC
Munuhe blamed the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) for not preparing teachers for these deductions and changes to their pay stubs.
Lack of Preparedness: Munuhe criticized TSC for failing to foresee and adequately prepare for these changes.
Historical Context: He mentioned that the current situation stems from a projection made in 2023, which was contested in court but eventually implemented in 2013. This implementation is now causing the present challenges.
Impact on Teaching Profession
Financial Strain: The multiple deductions and inability to secure loans have placed significant financial strain on teachers.
Professional Challenges: The deductions are seen as demotivating and adding to the existing challenges within the teaching profession.
The KNUT, under the leadership of Patrick Karinga Munuhe, is actively opposing the triple pension deductions affecting teachers. The union highlights the negative impacts on teachers’ financial stability and professional morale, while criticizing the TSC for poor management and lack of foresight in implementing these deductions.
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