Mudavadi Cornered By Striking Teachers, Forced To Address Them
On Thursday, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi was forced to address a strike by the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers.
Mudavadi was in Vihiga for the Kazi Majuu Job Fair, Western Edition, when he spoke to a group of striking Kuppet teachers.
The Prime CS stated that he could not make promises to teachers at the time, but he promised to listen to their concerns and address them in the cabinet.
“I don’t want to make a ridiculous statement while here, I must make a statement that I can push ahead and it comes with time. If I come here and say that I will pay your salaries today, I will be lying and I don’t want to lie to you,” Mudavadi said.
I had a constructive engagement with a group of teachers at the Vihiga County headquarters. I assured them of my commitment to raising their concerns at the upcoming Cabinet meeting to seek a fair resolution to their issues.
— Musalia W Mudavadi (@MusaliaMudavadi) August 29, 2024
I encouraged the teachers to consider calling off… pic.twitter.com/3TxpxbDdej
“The most important thing for me to listen to and take this petition at the highest level which is the cabinet to find proper and durable solutions to the challenges you are facing.”
The reopening of the schools coincided with the start of a nationwide strike by Kuppet-allied teachers after their counterparts from the Kenya National Union of Teachers called off their job boycott on Sunday.
Their demands include the complete implementation of the second phase of their 2021-25 CBA and the promotion of 130,000 teachers.
Teachers also want TSC to hire 46,000 JSS teachers on permanent and pensionable contracts, as well as remit loans and statutory deductions to the appropriate agencies.
While calling off the strike, Knut stated that the teacher employer, TSC, had demonstrated goodwill by promoting 51,232 teachers so far in a process that is still ongoing.
“That decision was timely because it has enabled the re-opening of schools. I commend them for reading the mood of the nation and acting with selfless patriotism,” Education CS Julius Ogamba said while commending Knut.
The High Court suspended Kuppet’s post-primary education teachers’ strike pending the hearing and determination of a case filed by TSC.
Justice James Rika of the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nairobi issued the orders on Tuesday.
Most schools have since reported low turnout and empty classrooms as the Kuppet vows strike continues.
However, on Thursday, Kuppet wrote to TSC, expressing his willingness to negotiate.
Kuppet indicates in the letter dated August 29 that it is unwilling to continue engaging the commission in a protracted battle, especially in light of the court’s ruling on the industrial action.
“In light of the fast-moving dynamic of the strike, particularly the proceedings instituted in court by the commission, we would wish to handle the matters with you to avoid any protracted battles,” the letter addressed to TSC CEO Nancy Macharia reads.
Kuppet informed TSC that they are prepared for a meeting on Thursday afternoon to address their demands amicably and without prejudice.
Mudavadi Cornered By Striking Teachers, Forced To Address Them
