State blamed for teachers’ strike – Knut

Kenya National Union of Teachers, Kitui branch has criticised the government for its seemingly insensitive attitude towards workers.

“The government unfortunately appeared unperturbed and unconcerned over the teachers' strike," said Mutambu. Secretary Jonathan Mutambu on Saturday said this attitude had led to the recent strikes witnessed in the country.

Mutambu called on the government "to create institutional mechanisms to avoid future strikes." He was speaking at the Kitui town St. Martins ACK Cathedral where Knut officials held a thanksgiving service.

The service was to celebrate the union's battle for getting a pay hike. The trade unionist said teachers are tired of having to result to strikes to compel the government to increase their salaries.

He said he hoped there will no other strikes to force the government to listen to the teachers. “As we thank God for enabling us to successfully agitate for better a pay for teachers, we hope teachers will never have to resort to strikes again,” Mutambu said.

He urged the government to honour all existing pledges it made to teachers and other workers in the civil service. He called for dialogue to iron out contentious issues to save the country economically crippling strikes.