By Stephen Makabila                   

Presidential aspirants have kept off what could be the worst education crisis in Kenya’s history – Monday’s decision by 278,000 teachers to down their tools.

Key political observers as a grave national issue, but which politicians have avoided view the impending strike and its likely effect on the country’s education sector.

The ‘hot political potato’ has thus been left in the hands of three line ministries – that of Education headed by Mutula Kilonzo, Public Service headed by Dalmas Otieno and Finance under Njeru Githae, as a galaxy of those nursing presidential ambitions spectate.

Only Narc-Kenya party leader Martha Karua has come out openly to back the teachers’ demands.

President Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka have equally not made any interventions to avert the looming crisis.

Unionists confirmed yesterday the Ministry of Labour headed by Turkana North MP John Munyes had not entered the fray, despite its central role in labour issues.

Chairman of the Parliamentary Education Committee David Koech, yesterday blamed the Executive for acting on the crisis when it was already too late.

 “It’s unfortunate the Executive waits when things run out of hand to act. Parliament is, however, going to push to ensure teachers’ interests are addressed through genuine consultations,” added Koech.

The timing of the Monday strike by the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) that would affect millions of learners is reminiscent of the 28-day strike of 2002 that came only two months to elections, with heavy political implications.

Joined the fray

Only this time, the situation may be more challenging for the Government given Knut’s rival, the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) and university lecturers are also to join the fray.

Knut had warned it had been aware the Government intended to criminalise the strike by moving to court to declare it illegal.

And as had been predicted, TSC on Friday evening moved to court to declare the intended strike illegal, but unionists have remained adamant and promised the strongest resistance from teachers ever.

“It’s when it (the Government) will know trade unionism is about defiance, and not compliance,” Knut chairman Wilson Sossion told The Standard On Sunday.

Political analyst Martin Oloo, who is a lecturer at the Kenya School of Law, says politicians have kept off the issue because of three reasons.

“First, even those eyeing the presidency are yet to develop policies on education in their party manifestoes; second they do not want to make statements that could see them lose votes and, third, some do not even understand issues being pushed by the unionists,” said Oloo.

Political scientist Amukowa Anangwe says the situation has reached a critical level and the entire Government machinery and the top political leadership has to intervene.

“All those in positions of responsibility have to now face the crisis head-on with temporary solutions as the country seeks a permanent solution,” added Prof Anangwe.

Anangwe suggests Parliament has now to be roped-in, help re-organise or review budgetary allocations to allow Government have funds to negotiate with teachers.

And the Knut leadership, whose 440-member National Advisory Council on Wednesday endorsed the union’s National Executive Council strike notice, has put politicians on notice as last minute talks to evade the strike collapsed on Thursday. “Some presidential aspirants and political parties have in the past made verbal commitment to education issues, but none has come up with manifestoes,” said Sossion.

Sossion went on: “They should know there are no votes from teachers for insensitive politicians who are economical with their commitments.” There are about 14 presidential aspirants, some holding key positions in Government, and whose input the unions feel would have been key in addressing the stalemate.

While President Kibaki is due for retirement next year, some of the key political leaders eyeing the presidency include Raila, Kalonzo, and Deputy Prime Ministers Uhuru Kenyatta, and Musalia Mudavadi. 

Others include Eldoret North MP William Ruto, Karua, and ministers Moses Wetangula, Charity Ngilu, Eugene Wamalwa, and Peter Kenneth.

Kept off

Most of the aspirants have, however, have kept off the issue of teachers’ demands as they traverse the country to seek votes ahead of the March 2013 General Election.

Teachers have zeroed on three issues, which they want addressed by the Government to have the strike reversed. In its presentation to the Parliamentary Committee on Budget in May, Knut asked for a 300 per cent salary increment and immediate implementation of the 1997 Legal Notice 534 in regard to the allowances payable to teachers. The union also demanded a responsibility allowance at 50 per cent, 40 per cent and 30 per cent for principals and head teachers, deputies, senior teachers and heads of departments. 

“Nothing has changed and as we speak, all is set for the mother of all strikes come Monday. There is lack of commitment and confusion on part of State. TSC comes up with suggestions that end up being trashed by the ministry and Treasury,” said Sossion.

There has been confusion from the way the Government has handled the teachers’ crisis, one case being counter accusations between Mutula and Dalmas.

In 2002, teachers voted the then Narc candidate President Kibaki after he promised to honour some of the then pending phases of salary awards and allowances.

“Teachers played a key role in voting Kanu out of power and we are also going to play a role this time in rallying behind a candidate with interests of the education sector at hear,” added Sossion.

The worst fears are that the strike will impact negatively on the preparations for national examinations, with 270,000 pupils expected to sit for KCPE while close to 200,000 others are preparing for KCSE.

Former Education PS James Kiyiapi, who is eyeing the presidency on a Restore and Build Kenya (RBK) party ticket, is among those who have candidly spoken on the country’s education challenges.