Kenneth urges principals to address strikes

A presidential aspirant has urged President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to urgently address the rising incidences of strikes in Kenya.

Planning and National Development assistant minister Peter Kenneth said Thursday the countrywide teachers, doctors, and the university lecturers’ strikes, will have devastating effect on the country’s efforts towards the realisation of Vision 2030.

The strikes, will further affect the Bill of Rights in the Constitution that guarantees the right to education and medical care to all Kenyans, regardless of their socio-economic status.

"While we utilise considerable resources to train highly qualified doctors, nurses, teachers and lecturers, it is a tragedy that we cannot retain the same within the economy due to pitiable remuneration.

"In addition, their meagre salaries are inadequate to motivate delivery of quality services given the harsh economic realities we are operating in," the Gatanga MP said.

He told a public baraza in Rongai, Nairobi that when the public service delivery systems grind to a halt, "it is the ordinary Kenyan who cannot afford private alternatives that suffers".

"I sympathise with patients and pupils who are now faced with uncertainty," Mr Kenneth said.

Tangible solutions

He said the government needs to rise to the occasion and come up with tangible and acceptable solutions "because the suffering on the ground is real".

"It should not abandon the teachers’ demands by hiding behind the Salaries and Remuneration Commission. Furthermore, the Government could have utilised the three months window to engage the teachers and forestall the strike.

"Unfortunately and inexplicably the government missed the opportunity and is now fire-fighting after the damage is already done," Mr Kenneth said.

However, Mr Kenneth praised the government for initiating negotiations with the teachers’ umbrella unions.

"I urge for similar talks with the medical fraternity and lecturers, with a view to expeditious resolution of this stalemate," Mr Kenneth said.

The Kenya National Congress (KNC) presidential aspirant said Kenya needs a leadership that will ensure that basic facilities for the Kenyan people are available especially now that the Constitution requires it.

"A leadership that will enhance the quantity and quality of our health and educational infrastructure to ensure social inclusion. At the same time, a leadership that will provide the right incentives to improve the welfare and conditions of our health and teaching personnel. That is what I want to do after March 4th next year."

Mr Kenneth also campaigned for KNC candidate in the Kajiado North parliamentary seat Peter Munene.

The Gatanga MP wooed voters on behalf of Mr Munene in Mosiro, Magadi, Ngong and Ongata Rongai in Kajiado North.

He said KNC is reviewing its manifesto and that he will soon give a timeline for delivery of his promises.