Pay teachers their September salaries now, Kenya’s Opposition demands

CORD Leaders led by Siaya Senator James Orengo(L) and his Machakos counterpart Johnstone Muthama addresses the media at Parliament. PHOTO: BONIFACE OKENDO

NAIROBI: The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) has asked the government to pay teachers their September salaries to end their suffering.

The Opposition said more than 245,000 tutors who missed their dues following the nationwide strike “do not deserve this bullying and ridicule they are being exposed to”.

While railing against President Uhuru Kenyatta for “boasting about Kenya being Africa largest economy”, the coalition called on the President to responsibility and speak to the country about the teachers’ pay crisis, since his appointees had failed to address the matter.

“We are speaking about a national government failing to pay its most numerous and significant public work force, the teachers. The head of that national government must take responsibility and talk to the teachers,” said ODM Secretary for Political Affairs and Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi.

Those who spoke include MPs John Kobado (Uriri), Florence Mutua (Busia), Joseph Obiero Ndiege (Suna-West), Opiyo Wanday (Ugunja) and Orange Democratic Movement deputy treasurer Ogla Karani. “The teachers also need to be assured that there will be no delay in their October pay,” added Mr Wandayi, Thursday at Capitol Hill in Nairobi.

The legislators said the inability of the country to pay its teachers was due to the “devastating effects of corruption and out of control spending” adding that next month may not be better because of “capital flight and a liquidity crunch.”

He continued: “Mr President, tell Kenyans and teachers in particular what is going on and what they need to prepare for. This see nothing, say nothing, do nothing, can’t pay, won’t pay attitude of Uhuru’s government cannot be a solution to critical national issues. Kenyans expect the President to solve their problems, not wish them away.”

Teachers have since threatened to sue their employer, Teachers Service Commission (TSC), for contempt of court after it failed to pay them the September salaries.

TSC paid only 42,973 tutors who were on duty during the strike period despite being directed by Employment and Labour Relations Court not to victimise the tutors. It further directed that teachers be paid their full salaries and allowances without any deductions. “Teachers have been left in a state of panic and confusion, visiting their banks and returning home with empty pockets every day. And no-one is telling them if and when they will get their next pay cheque and the reasons for the delay,” he added.

They accused Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi of having failed to end the crisis. They expressed anger, claiming a teacher had committed suicide in Kirinyaga “because of the shame and the ridicule.”

“It is clear to us that the management of education sector is at its worst since independence. Prof Kaimenyi,has clearly failed at the Ministry of Education. Nancy Macharia has equally failed at the Teachers Service Commission.”

The said the frustration teachers are currently going through will hurt the economy and the sector: “The delayed salaries is hurting particularly rural economy. Teachers, without spending power, is hurting so many other sectors in rural ares where they keep businesses going and pay for goods and services from so many families.”