Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Teso Education Scheme has called for a forensic audit of its accounts with the aim of holding former executive officials accountable for the alleged embezzlement of millions of shillings belonging to scheme members.

The resolution was passed during a charged 22nd Annual General Meeting held at the KNUT Teso Education Scheme Multipurpose Hall in Amagoro.

Angry members, including several retired teachers accused the previous KNUT leadership of allegedly misusing members’ funds to campaign for union positions and failing to repay loans borrowed from the scheme.

Led by Godfrey Omukule Etyang, they threatened to mobilise teachers to push for the arrest of the former officials, some of whom are allegedly holding senior positions in the Busia County government.

Etyang, said the Union should consider disposing of its properties including parcels of land, KNUT building and the Scheme’s Multipurpose Hall all situated on the same land in order to recover the money and alleviate the financial strain facing members, particularly retired teachers.

They noted that the teachers cannot afford to take their children to school or meet their financial obligations even after saving their money for their entire working years, amounting to between Kshs 200,000 and Kshs 500,000.

They urged the current leadership to act with speed to recover the alleged embezzled funds from their predecessors.

KNUT Executive Secretary Geoffrey Ekasiba acknowledged that the union is indeed facing financial challenges, which have contributed to the failure to hold an Annual General Meeting since 2019. He thanked the teachers for attending the AGM and voicing their concerns, assuring them that the union will respect and act upon the decisions made by its members.

Ekasiba appealed to members to actively promote the scheme in increase membership from the current 127, noting that negative publicity is discouraging potential members, crucial for improving the scheme’s financial stability.

Isaac Musale, Vice Treasurer of the Kakamega Teachers Benevolent Fund (TBF) and Chief Guest at the event, echoed the sentiments while appealing to teachers to speak positively about the scheme and embrace it, emphasising that collective support is essential for its success.