Uhuru wants Knut to obey law in pay demand

By Standard Digital Reporter

NAIROBI, KENYA: President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday called on teachers union to obey the court order and come to table for salary negotiation with the government.

Speaking to members of Editors guild, Uhuru said the government was ready to dialogue with teachers but within the confines of law.

“Teachers strike is a serious issue currently, the government is ready to talk to teachers but the teachers union must be ready to abide by the rule of the law, we cannot bend rules of the land for teachers,” he said.

On whether the government should divert the laptop project money to meet salaries demands, he said laptop was a key promise by Jubilee coalition and no money would be diverted to pay teachers salaries.

“This money for laptop we are borrowing, you cant suggest to us to use the money to pay salaries for teachers, we dont want to overbudden our children to in future pay dearly for money that was used to pay somebody,” said Uhuru.

He said the government had elaborate plans to intergrate ICT in schools and has set aside Sh15 billion to connect various primary schools to the national grid.

“The government is not only going to equip pupils with gadgets, the project is aimed at transforming children lives in facing challenges associated withtechnology in the society.”

Uhuru said the government was committed in improving its relationship with the media for transparency and growth of democracy in the country.

He said his government recorgnises role of media in development therefore he will ensure information is availed to the media at appropriate time.

“We are not interested in government control and propaganda.  That would be a disservice to the role of the media in nation building.  What we want is openness and transparency that offers benefits to Kenyans.”

“The relationship between Government and media need not be adversarial. There should be, and there will be, channels of communication through which media can easily get information from Government.”

He said government, too, will provide information on what it is doing, and respond to matters that the media are interested in. 

Uhuru called on the information and communication ministry to establish a national press center equipped with necessary tools to enable journalists do their work.

President appointed Manoah Esipisu the new secretary of communication and state house spokesperson. Esipisu replaces Iaiah Kabira who is moving to Australia as the new high commissioner.