Pay teachers their dues, Muthama tells gov’t

Machakos County Senator Johnston Muthama has called on the government to pay teachers as directed by the court.

Speaking in Tala Girls Secondary School after officially opening an administration block, Muthama said over Sh450 billion has been lost through corruption, which could have been used to settle the teachers’ pay.

Muthama added that teachers have been forced to go to the streets to demand their right, a battle that ended up in court.

He noted that despite the court awarding the teachers a pay increase dating back to 2013, education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi has been adamant in efforts to oppose the move.

In a ruling made in June, the Labour Relations Court ordered Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to increase teachers’ salary by between 50-60 per cent, dating back from July 2013.

The ruling was opposed by TSC who filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal protesting the pay rise.

The Court of Appeal, however, upheld the Labour Relations Court ruling pending the hearing of the appeal by the TSC.

Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has threatened to go on strike if the government does not effect the pay increment.