Wako queries Knut, PM meeting against orders

By Wahome Thuku

The Attorney General has taken issue with the way a teachers’ union is negotiating hiring of 12,000 teachers with the Prime Minister.

Senior State Counsel Anthony Obwayo said last Tuesday’s talks between Knut and Prime Minister Raila Odinga were conducted without informing the AG’s office yet a suit arising from the dispute was pending in court.

Mr Obwayo told Nairobi judge Jean Gacheche he learned of the meeting through the media on Wednesday morning. But Knut’s lawyer Evans Ondieki said he had mentioned to Obwayo that the parties intended to discuss some issues.

"We have agreed to talk to each other and deal with some of the issues out of court," Mr Obwayo said.

Hiring on contract

The hiring of teachers on contract terms in September was suspended by the High Court following an application by Knut.

Raila met the Knut national officials in his office on Tuesday when they presented him a memorandum of several grievances.

He promised to respond to the issues by end of December.

On Wednesday, Obwayo said Knut had not formally written to the AG before taking the move yet he represented the Government in the case.

Justice Gacheche told the union to adhere to the protocol and always contact the AG’s office if they wished to have out-of-court negotiations.

 

 

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