“The government’s ballooning wage bill does not address the inequalities in the wide disparities between staff in the higher echelons be it in the Police, Prison, or Civil Service and the rank and file. The fact is that the rank and file in the teaching fraternity are as underpaid as much as their counterparts in the Public Service. The 50 to 60 percent was explicit on the need to bridge this gap,” he stated.
He pointed out that significantly, the President’s statement made no mention of the billions lost through corruption and tax evasion.
“Many teachers are parents with children in public schools because their salaries do not permit them to afford Private schools. Teachers therefore take not joy in being on strike. At no time has the President invited teachers to consult on the way forward, but teachers remain open to dialogue,” he said.
President Kenyatta had termed the teachers’ pay rise demand as unsustainable and further indicated that the government would not afford the stipulated amounts unless Kenyans were prepared to pay more taxes.
The head of state had pointed out that the teachers demand was legitimate but noted that honouring the pay rise, would strain the country’s economy.
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