Knut blames ministry over interns deadlock

A union is accusing the government of delaying talks to resolve the deadlock over the hiring of intern teachers.

The Kenya National Union of teachers told a Nairobi court on Tuesday that the Education ministry was delaying the process after a meeting scheduled for Monday failed to take off.

The union together with the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Teachers, were scheduled to meet Prime Minister Raila Odinga and officials from the Education ministry on Tuesday.

Out of court

The two unions have showed willingness to settle the dispute out of court after Mr Odinga promised to intervene.

They are now complaining that their efforts had turned out to be fruitless and blamed the ministry for the delays.

The unions had gone to court challenging the decision by the ministry to recruit 12,000 qualified teachers as interns.

They had indicated that they were ready to handle the issue amicably since the shortage of teachers was a major concern.

The court had issued an injunction barring the ministry from proceeding with the planned recruitment. The injunction will remain in force, until the unions withdraw the case.

The two cases will be mentioned on February 16 when the parties involved will communicate their new position.

The Attorney General, through State counsel Anthony Ombwayo had earlier indicated that his office would hold another meeting with Mr Odinga and the two unions today.