Dare you touch our meagre salaries, Knut warns State

By ERIC LUNGAI

Kenya: The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) has dared the Government to implement pay cuts for teachers and face the greatest revolution of all time.

The giant teachers’ union criticised the Government for its doublespeak regarding taming the wage bill. This was in reference to President Uhuru’s go-ahead for Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) to be given car grants that will run into billions of shillings.

Speaking at Chavakali High School in Vihiga County over the weekend where he presided over a fund raiser for the Endowment Fund, Knut Secretary General Wilson Sossion said pay cuts were unnecessary.

“Teachers will not allow under any circumstances to have even a single cent deducted from their salaries in the name of pay-cuts. This would only mean inciting us to go to the streets,” Sossion said.

Sabatia MP Alfred Agoi, Knut National vice chair Wycliffe Omuchei, Vihiga County director of education Pamela Akello, Vihiga Knut executive secretary Dickson Atsiaya, attended the function.

Sossion said teachers would not fear being sent to the gallows and if it called for dying for their rights, he was ready. He added that he was ready to go to court over the same.

Extravagance

“I don’t fear being jailed. In any case, I have already been to jail for defending the rights of teachers. If they touch the teachers’ salaries, we shall go to court,” he said.

Omuchei scoffed at the Jubilee administration, terming its move on pay cuts unwarranted as the Government itself was acting extravagantly.

“You cannot talk of pay cuts and a few days later, you are giving MCAs car grants. It is utter irony. There must be something wrong with this government,” Omuchei said.

Sabatia MP Alfred Agoi noted that teachers are already poorly paid and called on the Government to improve on their welfare.

“The move by the National Government to reduce the soaring wage bill should not under any circumstance interfere with the teachers’ salaries. This would lead to interference with academic performance in the country as the teachers will be psychologically affected,” Agoi said.

The leaders praised Chavakali High School for having made its presence felt countrywide by performing well in last year’s KCSE exams and further commended the school’s management for establishing the Endowment Fund.

Needy students

The school’s principal Mr Indimuli Kahi, who is also the national vice chairman of Kenya Secondary School Heads Association, said the Endowment Fund, which was introduced in 2010 has really benefited many needy but bright students. “Other than an annual fundraiser, teachers at the school contribute a minimum of Sh100 monthly towards the fund,” Indimuli said.

He called on the old boys’ association to take up the running of the Endowment Fund on behalf of the school.