Planned deductions to fund National Housing scheme angers teachers

Kuppet chairman Omboko Milemba. [Photo, File]

The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) officials are crying foul over the planned move by the Government to deduct 1.5 percent of gross salary of teachers and civil servants to finance the housing scheme.

The Kisii branch officials led by Chairman Laban Ouko said this is could yet be another move aimed at oppressing the already overtaxed Kenyan teachers and civil servants.

“It’s totally unfair to hurt employees so as to advance political interests. It is strange that the scheme is only getting support from government, no other Kenyan is supporting it but the government seems too keen to push it through,” said Ouko.

Speaking to the Standard Ouko siad this leads to the big question on who is the likely beneficiary of this scheme and whether it is the teacher or the ordinary Kenyan civil servant. “The answer is clear that the common Mwananchi will not gain form this scheme.”

“In a country where plundering of public resources seems fashionable, corruption celebrated and rewarded, the 1.5 percent deduction is another opportunity for some people to smile all the way to the bank while the Kenyan teacher and civil servants who will be bank rolling the scheme cry all the way from the bank.”

Ouko explained that Kenya has more than enough money to finance the housing scheme without hurting and demoralizing the hardworking teachers and civil servants.

He added: “This deduction is an obvious pathway to more plunder of public resources on our already overwhelmed pay slips. A country where billions are looted almost every day from almost every sector doesn't need to overtax its citizenry to finance projects, all it needs is to seal corruption loopholes and save the billions which can then finance these ambitious projects.”

The Chairman asked the Government to explain how the units will be distributed to the workers who could have already funded the projects and what will happen to the many workers who already have their own houses.

He maintained that the Country’s leadership must listen to the teachers and other workers. “Forcing unpopular deductions on our pay slips without commensurate salary increments is unacceptable. A time has come for the Kenyan worker to be in solidarity with each other and make one voice in unison by saying NO to this housing deduction.”