Okuta speaks on strike for the first time

By Standard Digital Reporter

Kenya National Union of Teachers secretary general Okuta Osiany has asked teachers to keep the strike on until the government honours their demands.

Speaking to the Standard digital for the first time since he fell ill in the run up to the start of the strike, Okuta reiterated the union’s position and insisted that teachers must be well remunerated.

“Let the government know that teachers will not return to work for as long as the government is not willing to address their demands,” he said on telephone.

He also offered a word of encouragement to the teachers and his union officials to “keep the fire burning.”

“I know teachers have been yearning to hear my voice. And as you have spoken with me I am doing well and they should fight until what they deserve is awarded,” he said.

He said he will join the teachers soon once his doctors let allow him. “The fight must continue because teachers equally deserve the best,” he said.

Okuta fell ill in his Kisumu home some few days to the start of the nationwide strike.

He was later referred to a city hospital where he has been recovering. Knut national chairman Wilson Sossion has since led the union in pushing for the strike.

And speaking on Thursday, Okuta asked president Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to ensure schools are opened immediately to enable them prepare for examinations.

“I have followed these strike developments keenly and we are not amused at how the Treasury has played games with teachers. It is time the two principals took charge of the crisis,” he said.

In a telephone interview that lasted ten minutes, Okuta said the teachers demands are within the ability of the government and asked the head of state to act with speed.

“We know there is money to give the teachers. And Knut is willing to negotiate with the state. We can solve this as soon as the government side demonstrates commitment to engage meaningfully,” he said.

Knut has been pushing for full implementation of legal notice no 534 of 1997 that a salary review of 300 per cent.

But matters have been complicated by the introduction of legal notice no 16 of 2003 that amended the allowances as was provided for in the 1997 agreement.

Of those amended were automatic house allowance, medical, responsibility, commuter, accommodation and transfer allowances.

Knut has refused to recognize the legal notice saying it did not follow the right procedure and only seeks to deny its members what they rightfully negotiated in 1997.

The matter has been referred to the House committee on delegated legislations.

Already in its brief to the government, TSC has advised that some Sh 13.5 billion is needed to harmonise teachers’ basic pay to that of public servants.

TSC boss Lengoiboni said this translates to Sh 1.12 billion every month towards harmonization of teachers pay.

Lengoiboni also indicated that another Sh 29 billion will be needed to settle demands of the unions if the legal notice no 534 of 1997 is implemented fully.

Senior government officials privy to the details of the financial implication of the strike said should Knut recognise the contested legal notice then state needs to release Sh 15.2 billion to send teachers to school.

 “With this, harmonization of teachers’ salaries shall be done. Sh 300 million will pay special schools allowance and another Sh 1.4 billion will go towards hardship allowances,” said the official who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the discussions.

Education minister Mutula Kilonzo said on Wednesday that a solution may be in the offing after Thursday’s cabinet meeting.