No pay for striking teachers, says Education Cabinet Secretary Kaimenyi
The government will withhold the salaries of striking teachers, Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi has warned.
Prof Kaimenyi said the government has fulfilled its obligations to teachers since 1997 and their hardline stance was baffling.
He said the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) should return to the negotiating table with a view to ending the five-day strike.
On Tuesday, the Labour Ministry disowned an agreement signed between the government and Knut in 1997 that the teachers want implemented at a cost of Sh47 billion.
Labour Cabinet Secretary Kazungu Kambi declared the strike called by Knut on Monday as illegal and said there was no agreement.
The strike has disrupted learning in all government primary and secondary schools.
“Knut does not have a case and I would advise them to get a collective bargaining agreement. Going to the streets does not solve the issue but coming to the (negotiation) table solves almost all the issues,” Mr Kambi said as he invited them for talks to end the strike.
“The teachers only have a gazette notice that they have been holding for a period lasting three or so different governments. This notice can be varied by anyone at any time.”
In a statement, the President called for sobriety and dialogue between the teachers and the government in order to ensure that learning is not disrupted.
"I have today (Friday) directed the Cabinet Secretary Education, Science and Technology, and the Teachers Service Commission in consultation with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to immediately engage the Kenya National Union of Teachers and Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers to discuss any outstanding issues,” President Kenyatta said.
"I expect the process to proceed expeditiously in order that no disruption to the learning of our children is occasioned,’ he said.
