Striking teachers hold rally in Nairobi, vow to stay put

Striking teachers on Wednesday held a public rally in a bid to push their employer to effect a salary raise given by the courts.

In a rally held at Uhuru Park in Nairobi, different unions joined the teachers in their bid for higher pay.

Though the meeting was poorly attended, the teachers insisted that the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) would not intimidate them into going back to class.

"TSC chairperson does not have authority to scare teachers, teachers will not be intimidated to resume work unless they're paid," Kenya Nation Union of Teachers (Knut) chairman Mudzo Nzili told the rally.

The meeting was also attended by Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers, Central Organisation of Trade Unions, Trade Union Congress, Kenya Primary School Heads Association and Bachelor of Education university students.

BACKED THE STRIKE
Kenya National Parents and Teachers Association also backed the teachers strike.

Speaking at the rally, the association's chairman Nathan Barasa asked the government to promptly pay the teachers as parents and teachers were losing out as students stay away from school.

"We are demanding that the government moves fast to ensure our children do not stay at home when the parents have even paid school fees," said Mr Barasa.

A Nairobi court last week said the strike was not protected in law because the unions had not given a seven-day notice.

TSC has already started disciplinary action against 2,000 school heads for going against the requirement that they remain at work during the strike.

The headteachers, their deputies and heads of departments had been directed to ensure the safety of learners and protect school property.

They have now been asked to explain why they locked school gates and turned away students when they were supposed to be protecting them and school property.