The Kenya National Union of Teachers has asked the Early Childhood and Development Education teachers to put on hold the planned signing of new salary deal with the County Bomet Government.
Led by Bomet KNUT Executive Secretary Desmond Langat following a meeting with the ECDE teachers in the county, the union has questioned the credibility of the reviewed salaries, citing disparities in the teachers’ paychecks.
Langat said the area county government did not follow the Salaries and Renumeration Commission guidelines resulting in disparities in salaries as compared to other counties.
He accused junior education officials of frustrating efforts by the County Assembly Speaker Cosmas Korir and the Governor Prof Hillary Barchok to look into the plight of the ECDE teachers.
He said a recent round table meeting with the Speaker of Bomet County Assembly indicated support and willingness to put an end to the endless tussle between the county government and the teachers.
The unionist said it was saddening to have lost one of the ECDE teachers at Chesoen Ward who had gone without salary for months saying it is alleged she died as a result of depression-related complications.
Langat asked the teachers not to append their signatures to the vague salary review, which was not negotiated, before they were enlightened on the same.
He urged the teachers to stand firm and not be intimidated by county education officers, who have more often than not used threats of dismissal as they fought for their rights.
By Kipngeno Korir
