Jubilee is a government of ‘blackmail’ – Odinga

The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) now say the Jubilee administration is a government of ‘blackmail’ that has little knowledge on and interest in dialogue.

CORD leader Raila Odinga said the Jubilee government. Led by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto, must learn the art of negotiation and drop the dictatorial style of leadership.

Odinga accused Jubilee of blackmailing teachers to call off the ongoing strike over the 50 -60% pay rise awarded by the Employment and Labour Relations Court.

He said that the Jubilee administration, despite being a product of the Supreme Court following the 2013 contested presidential poll, has constantly went against the constitution and acted in a manner suggesting that it does not respect the rule of law.

He said that by failing to pay the teachers, the Kenyatta’s government was in contempt of court.

Odinga challenged President Kenyatta and his government to respect the court and pay teachers without any further delay.

Speaking during the burial of his stepmother Mama Selina Olango in Siaya, the former Premier challenged the government and teachers to negotiate and find a compromise rather than making innocent children suffer.

He, however, challenged teachers to also give dialogue priority saying that the government might be strained in terms of resources and especially having passed the 2015/16 Financial Year budget.

Odinga’s brother and nominated MP Oburu Oginga said that it was very very disturbing to see the government openly defying a court order.

Oburu said that the government should accept the ruling and pay teachers even though it does not necessarily agree with it (ruling).

Nyando MP Fred Outa faulted the government’s laxity on the teachers’ strike saying that it is parents and children who are suffering.

He accused the government of pumping too much money to the National Youth Service (NYS) programme and completely ignoring the most basic of all sectors; education.

The teachers’ strike that officially kicked off on Wednesday has attracted mixed reactions with opposing factions calling for payment of teachers while others call for dialogue.

The national Treasury has since them announced that the government has no money to pay the teachers pay increment despite the push by their (teachers’) union to pay them in accordance with the court ruling.