Knut, Uhuru seek to resolve pay row

Kenya National Union of Teachers officials will tomorrow meet Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta to resolve a salary increment stalemate.

The union said Uhuru would be accompanied by his PS Joseph Kinyua in the meeting that seeks to strike a deal on how the money will be paid out to teachers.

"We have been told to meet Uhuru and his team to discuss the matter, as there is no more Teachers Service Remuneration Committee, which used to handle our demands," said Knut Vice-chairman Samson Kaguma.

Mr Kaguma was speaking at Malava Friends Church in Kakamega North District during the union’s local branch Annual General Meeting. Cabinet ministers Moses Wetang’ula and Soita Shitanda were present.

Union leaders at the function said teachers would down their tools if Uhuru fails to implement the 60 per cent salary increment deal by the end of this month.

"We shall be forced to convene the National Executive Council to find the way forward. This could mean disruption of the national examinations if the matter is not addressed urgently," said Kaguma.

Kaguma added that TSC should reverse its decision to recognise the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education of Teachers (Kuppet).

He said the agreement between Kuppet and TSC will also be discussed at the meeting. He said TSC couldn’t handle two trade unions, as this will compromise the voice of teachers while demanding for better terms and conditions of service.

But Kuppet acting Secretary General Akello Misori and the National Treasurer Njenga Mwethi said Knut should keep off their affairs.