William Ruto accuses Knut of reneging on agreed deal

By Eric Wainaina

Kenya: Deputy President William Ruto has accused Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) of reneging on a deal they had agreed with Government to end the ongoing strike.

Mr Ruto said he was shocked by Knut officials’ statement on Sunday that they were not content with the modality they had agreed on in paying the allowances asked for.

The deputy president said Knut had agreed with the government to settle the allowances amounting to Sh16.8 billion in two phases.

“We had agreed with Kuppet on a three-phase deal but when we sat with Knut, they told us we had agreed with others how we are going to look good and effective. They proposed we make it in two phases and we agreed because we wanted to move on,” said Mr Ruto.

Teachers have been on a nationwide strike since June 25, demanding implementation of house, commuter and medical allowances under the contested 1997 agreement. The government has maintained that it does not have enough money to meet all their demands.

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Mr Ruto maintained the government is unable to address the grievances in one phase since the budget had already been set. Speaking in a live TV interview, he accused the teachers of playing politics and engaging in sideshows.

On Sunday teachers refuted claims that they are under influence of any political party.