Kisii County ECDE teachers in a meeting with area Governor James Ongwae at the Agricultural Training College on July 28, 2022. [Eric Abuga, Standard]

Over 400 ECDE teachers in Kirinyaga held protests over delay in salary increment.

They also demanded to be absorbed on permanent and pensionable terms.

Speaking in Kutus town, Kenya Union of Pre-Primary Teachers (Kunnopet) chairman, Michael Mbugua accused the county government of taking teachers for a ride.

Mbugua said that a meeting that was held between the county government and the teachers in June, this year, did not achieve much.

"The meeting that was held in June between the county government officers and my team did not bear fruits. We were fed on lies," Mbugua said.

Mbugua said they have tried seeking an appointment with the governor, and County executives in charge of Education and Finance with no success.

"As teachers, we have tried to seek audience with the relevant county officials, who have been giving us empty promises," Mbugua added.

Samwel Opiyo, Secretary General, Kenya Union of Pre Primary Education said most of the teachers are on contracts, which is unfair.

"The Public Service Commission issued a circular in 2021 directing contracts to be converted to permanent and pensionable terms, but this has not been actualised," he said.

Kirinyaga County CEC Education James Mutugi, said the teachers will receive new salaries at the end of the month.

"The teachers have been placed on the new scheme of service through a cabinet resolution. Our teachers will receive their new salaries in August," Mutugi added.

The teachers' salaries will increase from Sh15,000 to Sh55,000 per month, depending on the level at which a teacher has been admitted.

ECDE certificate holders will move to Job Group G, diploma holders will move to Job Group H, while degree holders will move to Job Group K.

The county government had set aside Sh10 million for salaries payment under the new scheme.