Teachers issue seven-day strike notice over withheld pay

Teachers have issued a seven-day strike notice after the government said it would withhold the July salaries of tutors who participated in the recent strike.

The Kenya National Teachers Union (Knut) chairman Wilson Sossion said the teachers were on a go slow to push the government to rescind its decision.

If Knut makes good its threat, teachers will down tools on August 6.

"The TSC (Teachers Service Commission) is in contravention of the return to work formula signed between it and Knut that no teacher would be victimised,” said Mr Sossion.

He was referring to a deal struck between striking teachers and the government, which ended the 24-day strike.

Mr Sossion termed the move by the TSC to deduct their pay as servitude and unprecedented by a government that should be serving the interests of its workers.

The Knut chairman said teachers would call its national advisory council this week in preparation for declaring another strike.

Last week, Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang said teachers who boycotted work for over three weeks must be ready to face the consequences of their action.

“If you miss to go to work, there are consequences. You only get rewarded for your service,” said Dr Kipsang.