William Ruto asks teachers to be patient in pay raise row

Deputy President William Ruto has asked teachers to be patient as their employer and MPs explore ways of raising their pay.

Mr Ruto said the Teachers Service Commission has to consult Parliament following the Court of Appeal ruling that awarded them a pay raise of between 50 to 60 per cent.

“We have to wait for a clear assessment to be done before any discussion,” Mr Ruto said.

The Deputy President also said the ministries of Education and National Treasury had been asked to address the matter.

“We ask teachers to be patient as this matter is addressed. The Teachers Service Commission has to consult,” he said in an interview.

OBEY THE LAW
“TSC has to obey the law. There is a process of how to get funds. It is Parliament that appropriates funds to the Executive, Legislature, Judiciary and county governments.”

Mr Ruto said the pay rise issue would be addressed alongside the implication it could have on the larger Public Service.

The TSC and Parliament, he said, have to exercise their roles because the Budget had already been passed.

Mr Ruto said implementing the pay rise would involve reviewing the budget afresh.

“There will be a process before we reach there. The institutions have to build consensus to determine how to implement the court ruling,” he said.

“Let teachers give opportunity to various institutions that are handling this matter to exercise their mandate.”

The government had engaged teachers since 2013 and addressed most of their requirements, including increasing allowances, he said.

HEALTH CRISIS
At the same time, Mr Ruto aid the health function would be administered by county governments as the Constitution stipulates.

Although the sector is facing some problems, he said, county governments can reverse the situation with proper planning and allocation of funds.

The Deputy President said some health workers who were opposed to the function being devolved were pushing for its return to the national government.

“The Constitution is very clear and the government supports the provision that the health function will be administered by county governments. We cannot change this,” Mr Ruto said.

Mr Ruto said it was crucial for the county governments to oversee the function to bring service closer to the people.