The government has convened an emergency meeting with the leadership of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) in a bid to avert a looming nationwide teachers’ strike.
The Tuesday meeting between the Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection, Alfred Mutua, and top Knut officials comes as the third school term draws near, with teachers threatening not to report to work over unmet promises in the government’s 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Tensions have been escalating, with KNUT Secretary-General Collins Oyuu declaring on Monday that teachers would not resume their duties when schools reopen unless the government fulfilled its commitments.
At the heart of the dispute is the second phase of the CBA, which promised a salary increase of 7 per cent to 9 per cent, yet remains unimplemented.
“We even advanced it to the Committee on Budget and Appropriation. but it seems they did not hear,” he said, showing frustration from the union over no action by parliament despite meetings held with top lawmakers, including Ndindi Nyoro, chair of the Committee on Budget.
It is against the backdrop of this unease that the government was quick to intervene in the matter by meeting top KNUT officials, among them Oyuu and National Chairman Patrick Munuhe, in a bid to avert this blow.
“Among the key issues that the union tabled before the government team in the meeting included the delay in implementing the second phase of the 2021 CBA. as well as concerns relating to the Medical Scheme of teachers, failure to remit SACCO/loan deductions, and delay in retirement benefit payments,” explained Mutua.
In addition to the grievances by the union, a review by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission led by Lyn Mengich also adds to their issues. The team had resolved that head teachers and deputies should earn more as they bear more responsibilities than ordinary classroom teachers.
However, Oyuu differed with the finding, terming it a flawed review. “They have said a deputy headteacher and a headteacher should earn much more. but we believe that is not true,” Oyuu insisted.
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Even with the tightened belt of the government, overstretched by withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024, Mutua still tried to pacify the union leaders. He offered to consult with fellow Cabinet members and other state actors to ensure that learning would not be disrupted.
“I assured the union leaders that I shall seek quick resolutions for these issues,” said Mutua, adding that he was going to work very closely with other government bodies in trying to meet issues raised by KNUT.
President William Ruto has also joined in, with a promise of Sh18.7 billion for the confirmation of Junior Secondary School interns, Sh30.7 billion for the capitation of Junior Secondary Schools, at a time when the government is dealing with budget cuts and the dissolution of state corporations to avoid redundancy.
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