Go back to class, DP William Ruto tells teachers

KAKAMEGA: Deputy President William Ruto wants teachers to respect the decisions of independent constitutional bodies that have ruled out a pay rise.

Mr Ruto said the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) have explained why the Government won’t pay teachers.

“Both parents and children are waiting for their teachers tomorrow (Monday). We want teachers to go back to the classroom,” he said.

He said when Kenyans passed the new Constitution, teachers demanded that TSC be a constitutional body which should not be controlled by the Executive, Parliament or Judiciary.

Speaking during a church service at Mung’ang’a ACK in Mumias East in Kakamega County yesterday, Ruto said since teachers are civil servants, any increment must consider the overall wage bill of the Government.

“We must ensure that salaries of civil servants do not interfere with funds set aside for development. The wage bill should not be more than funds set aside for development,” he said. He was accompanied by area MP Benjamin Washiali, Malava MP Malulu Injendi, Ikolomani MP Bernard Shinali, Navakholo MP Emanuel Wangwe and a host of MCAs, among church leaders.

Ruto, who was invited at the church for a ‘Sadaka maalum’ service by Anglican Bishop Beneah Salala.

Ruto also announced the Government will oversee the rights issue at Mumias Sugar Company and bring it to a close before the end of the year, which could see the State pump in more than Sh3 billion.

“I want to assure you that as Government, we are underwriting the rights issue by end of November or December. We will complete the rights issue and will raise between Sh3 billion and Sh5 billion,” he said.