Labour CS Kazungu Kambi renews bid to block Kenyan teachers pay

Labour Cabinet Secretary Kazungu Kambi has renewed his bid to block the Employment and Labour Relations Court from using a report filed by a department under his ministry that proposed a salary increase for teachers.

Through his lawyer George Kithi, Mr Kambi told Justice Nduma Nderi the document filed by Central Planning and Monitoring Unit (CPMU) on February 23 was flawed and does not reflect the actual position of his ministry.

The proposal by CPMU sought to increase teachers' salaries by 128 per cent, an equivalent of Sh137 billion annually.

Kambi told the court that the initial report was filed without his contribution and that of the Treasury.

He said the activities and reports emanating from CPMU are subject to his approval and direction as the Labour CS.

The Labour CS, in his application before the Labour court, urged the court to use the report filed on February 25 and he be enjoined in the salary dispute as an interested party

Meanwhile, the Central Organisation of Trade Unions says Kambi should not attend the May 1 Labour Day celebrations.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, Cotu Deputy Secretary General Benson Okwaro said Kambi had failed to fulfill his promise to increase the minimum wage.

Mr Okwaro said Kambi would only be welcome if he keeps his promise to workers.