Uhuru orders ministry to hold talks with tutors

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday moved to avert the looming teachers strike by ordering the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Prof Jacob Kaimenyi to enter into negotiations with the teachers’ unions.

In a statement, Mr Kenyatta 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 to immediately engage the Kenya National Union of Teachers and Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers to discuss any outstanding issues,” Mr Kenyatta said in a statement.

Mr Kenyatta spoke as Knut chairman Wilson Sossion warned that teachers would start the national strike any time next week if the government does not address their grievances.

He maintained that the union will only call off the strike if the government allocates Sh47 billion for payment of teachers allowances and other perks in the supplementary budget.