Members of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) in Kisumu took to the streets, declaring they will not return to work until their demands are addressed.
This defiant stance comes despite a court order suspending their ongoing strike.
The teachers marched through Kisumu's major streets, holding placards and dancing to various songs, as they voiced their discontent with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the government.
Chanting slogans in unison and displaying their placards, the teachers remained resolute in their demands.
"We will not go back until our demands are met; the protests will continue," stated Zablon Awanga, the executive secretary of Kuppet's Kisumu branch.
He emphasized that the strike is protected and that they would not be swayed by the courts into returning to class.
"The only authority that can direct us to resume classes is the National Governing Council through our Secretary General, Akello Misori," Awanga added.
He further insisted that they would only consider going back to work if a return-to-work formula is put in place.
The teachers warned that starting Thursday, they would visit schools to remove any teachers who continue to work while the protests are ongoing.
"Parents should collect their children from schools; we will not be held responsible for what happens," they said.
The strike has now entered its third day.
The teachers are demanding the confirmation of 46,000 Junior Secondary School (JSS) interns, arguing that these interns have played a crucial role in implementing the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and should be permanently absorbed into the system.
Another key demand is the promotion of 130,000 teachers who have been stuck in the same job group for over a decade.
The teachers are also calling for a review of the Career Progression Guidelines (CPG), which they claim have been applied unfairly, causing disparities in promotions and salaries.
Additionally, they are seeking the streamlining of the teachers' medical cover and are raising concerns about the timely remittance of third-party deductions, such as loans and insurance premiums.