Kenyan MPs: Treasury, ministry ‘slept on the job’ in teachers salary row

MPs have lashed out at the Executive over the teachers’ salaries standoff and underscored the need to have a contingency fund to address any unexpected occurrences.

Members of the National Assembly committee on Budget and Appropriation Thursday registered their disappointment that the Ministry of Education, Treasury, Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the Salaries and Remunerations Commission (SRC) failed to put in place measures to respond to any outcome regarding the teachers’ pay.

They accused these State organs of doing little to come up with a solution, noting that the Government has no money at the moment. They admitted that the pay row is a weighty matter that must be addressed expeditiously to avoid disruption of the school calendar, beginning Monday next week.

The lawmakers in pondering where the Government will get the Sh17 billion required to pay the teachers, warned the latter against ignoring the court orders, saying it can lead to anarchy and total paralysis of the education sector.

"National Treasury is yet to present its proposals before this committee for considerations, nevertheless members have also ventilated on it as it is a weighty matter without the requisite documents,” said Committee Chairman Mutava Musyimi (Mbeere South).

He continued: "As a committee, we shall pronounce ourselves on the matter and table a report before the House for adoption."

Mr Mutava admitted that though paying teachers will be a tall order, his committee is prepared to work round the clock to dispense the matter.

“However, Treasury is allowed by law within 60 days to appropriate the money if available and seek validation from the House later,” he said at a committee meeting at County Hall yesterday.

But Seme MP James Nyikal questioned why the relevant institutions charged with handling the teachers’ pay slept on the job.

“It was obvious teachers’ needed to be paid more. At the time of preparing the budget, the teachers’ matter was very much live in the courts,” Dr Nyikal said.

His colleagues Moses ole Sakuda (Kajiado West), Samuel Gichingi (Kipipiri), Alfred Agoi (Sabatia) Makali Mulu (Kitui Central) Richard Tongi (Nyaribari Chache) and Isaac Mwaura (nominated) said the ministries’ concerned and TSC had failed the country.

“This problem could have been sorted out long time when we were preparing the budget. The people in charge slept on the job.  This is the end for the road for TSC. We should have pre-occupied ourselves with knowing where the money will come from," Mr Gichigi said.

He continued: “Treasury should give us proposals on where to get the money, either through increased taxes, reduced development expenditure or where.”

Mr Agoi censured the Ministry of Education in particular, saying they should have prepare for the court outcome, whether in the Government’s favor or not.

Mr Mulu said: “The payment of teachers’ salaries is not debatable. Lets explore options on where to get the Sh 17billion. We can scout for grants." Teachers and counties each take a third of the funds raised nationally, said Mr Mwaura.