NAIROBI: In October 1997, teachers went on strike demanding a 300 per cent pay rise, led by the then Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) secretary general Ambrose Odongo.
The strike threatened to disrupt studies for over 500,000 students who were preparing for their national examinations. The Government struck a deal with the teachers - the Legal Notice 534 of 1997.
The agreement was signed by then Head of Public Service Phares Kuindwa, Simeon Lesirma (then Treasury PS) and Justice Aaron Ringera (then solicitor general).
Teachers were promised a 150 per cent to 200 per cent pay rise and house, medical, responsibility, special, hardship and commuter allowances. This was to be implemented over a five-year period with effect from July 1, 1997. The controversial deal led to several other strikes after the State failed to honour the agreement.
In May 2002, the then Knut Secretary General Francis Ng'ang'a said the union had agreed to be part of the conciliatory meetings. However, in October, teachers went on strike, accusing the Government of taking a hostile stand.
Another vocal leader in the fight for teachers' pay was the late David Okuta Osianyi, who served as Knut Secretary General. In 2012, Okuta declared a strike that lasted for 24 days.
HARDSHIP ALLOWANCES
Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers also went on strike the same year demanding a 100 per cent pay rise for its members.
The Government signed another deal with the union where Sh13.5 billion was paid to increase salaries and offer hardship and commuter allowances backdated to July 1, 2012.
Knut's current Secretary General Wilson Sossion, who has also served as the union's chairperson, is well known for his demands, negotiations and threats. This has in the past landed him in jail as he fought to ensure teachers got better salaries.
The unions have had clashes with the Education ministry led by Jacob Kaimenyi where they accused the Cabinet secretary of interfering in their talks with the Labour ministry.
Tuesday, the teachers won a court case where they were awarded a pay rise of between 50 and 60 per cent, backdated to July 2013, which will run to July 2017. The Court ruled that a collective bargaining agreement between Teachers Service Commission and teachers unions be registered within 30 days.
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