Kenya National Union of Teachers furious with ‘snub’ in Budget

By AUGUSTINE ODUOR

Kenya: Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) has summoned its National Executive Council for a meeting to clear way for nationwide strike.

The move comes after Parliament failed to factor in the budget, money for their allowances.

Knut officials yesterday said NEC will meet today even as Education Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi said talks are underway to avert the planned industrial action.

Union’s top leadership said they are infuriated by MPs’ failure to factor in the Budget funds for promotion of teachers and implementation of a contentious legal notice.

“We have summoned NEC and if by Thursday we don’t see the money, then we shall proceed with our course,” said Knut national chairman Wilson Sossion.

Addressing the Press yesterday, he expressed disappointment, noting Government failed to listen to them.

Teachers Service Commission (TSC) had requested Sh3.5 billion to promote teachers. Commission Secretary Gabriel Lengoiboni said they promote about 6,000 low-cadre teachers annually. Another 5,000 teachers are promoted due to proficiency courses and some 3,000 more on attainment of higher qualifications. He said another 8,000 teachers are promoted through competitive process.

With no funds, teachers will not be promoted. Knut also said members will down tools if Government fails to nullify the 2003 legal notice that amended a set of allowances as negotiated in 1997. House education committee chair Sabinah Chege advised TSC and Kaimenyi to meet and decide who among them should de-gazette the legal notice to pave way for full implementation of allowances as per legal notice No. 534 of 1997.

She said House committee on delegated legislation had recommended that the legal notice be nullified.

Prof Kaimenyi said yesterday that a solution will be found soon as consultations are still underway.

Sources indicated that Kaimenyi and Lengoiboni met on Monday over the issue.

“We may have a solution today on the legal notice,” said the source who attended the Monday meeting at the ministry. Full implementation of teachers’ allowances, according to TSC requires Sh47 billion, which has not been factored in the budget.