BY LONAH KIBET
President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga have been asked to order the Treasury to release money to pay striking teachers’ the salaries and allowances they are demanding.
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers ( Kuppet) said mixed signals from Finance minister Njeru Githae and Education minister Mutula Kilonzo on availability of Sh13.4 billion to pay teachers was a clear indication of lack of commitment by key Government officials in resolving the issues.
“We are asking the two principals, especially the PM being the supervisor of all the ministries, to intervene and have the money released,” Mr Omboko Milemba, Kuppet chairman said at a news conference in Nairobi yesterday. “We believe the standoff has dragged on because of a conspiracy, confusion and lack of commitment in PNU arm of Government where Githae and Mutula belong,” Milemba said.
Secretary General Akello Misori asked teachers to ignore directives by Mutula to return to their workstations, as it was only the union that had the legal authority to call off the strike.
“The claim by Githae that there is no money to implement the 100 per cent salary and allowances increment and Mutula’s offer of Sh13.4 billion is a clear indication of confusion,” Misori said.
He said the Government had resorted to propaganda and tricks to lure teachers to call off the strike. “The strike has entered a critical stage where intimidation is being employed. But teachers will be on strike as long as it takes,” Misori said.
