KUPPET Gives TSC Ultimatum, Demands Teachers’ Exemption from Ruto’s Housing Taxation.
The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has opposed the housing fund introduced by President William Ruto, stating that they want their members exempted from the three per cent deduction.
KUPPET argued that many of its members already own homes and should not be subjected to the new levy. They further stated that those who had not constructed homes had already taken up loans for the same.
KUPPET Embu branch head Jacob Karura stated that they reject the three per cent levy as it is unrealistic for teachers. A decent affordable house for a teacher costs approximately Ksh1.2 million, and if teachers pay this amount, they would do so for 66 years.
The union opined that teachers had their own tastes and ideas of where to retire and the design of the houses they wanted. Additionally, some members felt that it was unreasonable to ask them to leave their rural homes to live in high-rise apartments with their livestock.
“A decent affordable house for a teacher costs about Ksh1.2 million. If you do the math, you get that a teacher will pay for that house for approximately 66 years. As teachers, we have our own plans,” another member argued.
The union issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to intervene and ensure that teachers are exempted from taxation, failure to which the union threatened to strike.
However, on Thursday, May 11, Ruto defended the deduction, stating that politicians were also subject to a similar model.
Ruto further queried how Kenyans expected the government to fund the affordable housing plan as proposed during the campaign period.
He appealed to the teachers, stating that they already had mortgages they could pay up to Ksh50,000 or Ksh20,000 and that they should allow the hustlers to also own homes.
Furthermore, Ruto vowed to increase the number of housing units from 50,000 to 200,000 annually by engaging different investors.
On Wednesday, April 25, Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga emphasized that the deduction was not mandatory for Kenyans.
However, the opposition from KUPPET highlights the challenges of implementing policies that might not be suitable for all Kenyans, especially those who have already invested in building homes.
The government should consider the impact of such policies on various groups and find ways to mitigate them.
It is understandable that KUPPET has opposed the housing fund since it does not favor its members who have already constructed homes. Teachers are an essential part of the education system and should be given special consideration when implementing policies that may affect them.
The housing fund is an excellent initiative that can benefit many Kenyans who are struggling to own homes.
However, the government needs to find ways to ensure that it is not discriminatory and does not disadvantage those who have already invested in building their homes.
KUPPET Gives TSC Ultimatum, Demands Teachers’ Exemption from Ruto’s Housing Taxation.
