Kenyan teachers promise State ‘fire’ if pay award is not implemented

Teachers in Mombasa celebrate outside Kipevu Primary School after the Industrial Court awarded them a pay increment of between 50-60 per cent Tuesday. [PHOTO BY GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD].

NAIROBI: Teachers across the country have welcomed the court’s decision to award them 50 to 60 per cent pay increment.

In Mt Kenya region, the teachers converged at their local Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) branch offices to celebrate the verdict pronounced by Employment and Labour Relations Court.

They praised their union bosses for their steadfastness in pushing for the increment.

The increase will be backdated to July 2013. The Court ruled that a collective bargaining agreement between Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and unions should be registered within 30 days.

In Nyeri, Knut Chairman Patrick Karinga described the verdict as a major breakthrough in the salary negotiations, saying it will make for the suffering teachers have undergone under successive governments.

“We are very happy with the decision and we hope the Government will abide by it as teachers in this country have suffered a lot,” said Karinga.

In Embu, the teachers asked the Government to expeditiously implement the order, warning that any attempt by the Government to ignore it would be “met with lots of fire from the teachers.”

ACCRUED ARREARS

“This should be a lesson to the Government what when teachers move to the streets to demand for their rights, it should negotiate with them instead of wasting their time,” County Kuppet chairman Anthony Kinyua said.

He said justice had been done to teachers, but added they have not yet ‘arrived in Canaan’ as they are other demands on allowances the Government has not fulfilled.

And in Murang’a, teachers burst into celebrations soon after news about the increment filtered in.

Murang’a Knut representatives termed the ruling as a blessing to teachers as now the Salary and Remuneration Commission (SRC) will not have any say in their pay and allowances.

Led by Knut secretaries Rosalid Kamina (Murang’a North) and Amos Murigi (Murang’a South), the teachers said they now look forward to being paid accrued arrears.

“As teachers we welcome the court decision as we have suffered fighting for our rights while hundreds have died in the struggle,” said Murigi.

Kamina said SRC should now concentrate on its mandate and stop championing deduction of teachers’ salaries.

“We started the struggle 18 years ago and today the court has made a ruling which the Government must urgently implement,” said Kamina.

Kisumu branch Kuppet Chairman Zablon Awange said: “We welcome the ruling. It is testimony of unions’ belief in rule of law. We demand the Government obeys the court order by July 2015 to avoid further strikes. Though 50 per cent is not enough, we will take it for the time being. Our house allowance should also reflect the fact that we work in a city.”

In Homa Bay, Knut Executive Secretary, Rachuonyo branch, Eliud Ombori said their persistence had paid off although they expected more.

“The CBA is an issue that has disturbed us for long. This 50-60 per cent is better than nothing though we wanted 300 per cent, we teachers of Rachuonyo laud the ruling in earnest,” he said.

Mr Ombori also called for speedy implementation of the order ‘if the Government wants peace with teachers.’

“This Government has a lot of money and we know it. Look at how money is embezzled all over. We will not take any excuse. Let the court ruling be obeyed,” Ombori said.

In Migori, area Kuppet Chairman Kennedy Makasembo said the ruling was message to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) Chairperson Sarah Serem that she should keep off teachers’ affairs.

Kisii County Kuppet Chairman Agwings Issa Obaga said the award was long overdue, adding that it is the best thing that has ever happened to teachers in the country.

“The Government applied delaying tactics because this is what we were to get six months ago. I want to believe that they will implement it by backdating to January,” said Mr Obaga

He added: “Should they attempt to short-change us, they should prepare for face our wrath. But we expect them to obey the rule of law.”

Siaya County Knut Chairman Alex Dunga termed the ruling a gift to teachers by the Judiciary.

“The Judiciary has displayed independence of the highest order and teachers of Siaya are a happy lot. They will smile all the way to the banks because we want it backdated accordingly,” said Dunga.

In Nakuru, Kuppet Chairman Sammy Kambo said teachers were grateful to the court for delivering justice for teachers. “We have waited for long and we are happy that the court has vindicated teachers,” Mr Kambo said.

Kambo said TSC is the one mandated to address their welfare and not the SRC, adding that the latter has been proved to be an enemy of Kenya workers for siding with the Government during salary disputes.

“We support the recent move by Parliament to slash SRC budget. The commission should be disbanded because it is being used by the Government to fight and oppress hardworking Kenyans,” he said.

Nyandarua North Knut Executive Secretary Micheal Chege said the land mark ruling should be honoured without delay. “The court has made its verdict and teachers who have been patient all long should not be subjected to any further shenanigans,” he said.

Mr Chege said their agitation to have the Government honour the 1997 salary increment deal was not in vain, adding that the increase will boost their morale.

MOTIVATE TEACHERS

Laikipia Kuppet Executive Secretary Ndung’u Wangenye said the award will motivate teaches to give their best.

“At least our pleas have been listened to and teachers will now be able to offer good services to our students. Although not all our wishes have been granted, there is something to smile about,” he said.

He added: “This is one of the best rulings because all the parties have been considered. This is now the right way to go to avoid learning crises that normally hit the country once we go on strike,” he added.

And in Bomet, tutors took to the streets singing solidarity songs and praising the national office for securing the pay rise.

Area Knut Executive Secretary Malel Langat said: “Our fight for better terms of service has been vindicated by the courts. We have been portrayed as insensitive and only too quick to go for strikes. Justice has prevailed today.”

He said teachers’ patience had paid off as the case has dragged in court for over a year. “At first, teachers were a little apprehensive but because of visionary leadership from the head office, they have won big,” he said.

“This is a milestone ruling. The one of its kind where teachers have won a court case. We need to be united like this as we move forward,” Mr Langat added.

He also welcomed the court’s finding that teachers had been discriminated against for long by the Government and the anomaly needed to be rectified.

He continued: “Our dedication and commitment has been rejuvenated by this ruling. We shall go home knowing that our fight has never been in vain,” said the unionist.

A spot check by The Standard earlier had indicated that teachers suspended learning to follow the court ruling in their staff rooms. Those who were unlucky not to have television sets jammed the local centres and followed the proceedings from bars and hotels.

“I am happy with the ruling. The fight has been long and tedious, but Sossion and his team has guided us well. I was almost losing hope of ever getting a salary increase. That hope has now been rekindled,” said Joyce Makibior, a teacher at Mulot Primary School.