Jackline Moraa And Luke Kapchanga
12 October 2008
Nairobi — Teachers have threatened to go on strike if the Government does not conclude negotiations over pay in four days.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) at the weekend issued a four-day ultimatum to the Government to wind up negotiations or else they call for a national industrial action.
Addressing more than 800 members in Gucha South District, the acting secretary Lawrence Majali said the negotiations with the Teachers Service Remuneration Committee were taking too long.
Contracts
"We are tired of negotiations. Are teachers eating negotiations?" Mr Majali asked. He criticised the Government for doing little to improve the welfare of teachers.
"We don't want any more negotiations. Nobody will give anything for free without a fight and we are ready for that war with the Government," he said.
He said Knut members would not sign performance contracts, adding that teachers had their own instruments of measuring their performance -- schemes of work and a lesson plan.
Mr Samson Nyaundi was elected Gucha South Knut branch executive secretary in a tight race in which he garnered 253 votes against his close competitor's 252.
The new branch chairman is Mr Stephen Nyaundi who garnered 402 votes. His rival, Mr Stephen Mochama, got 142 votes. Mr Zebedeo Nyaboga was elected branch treasurer after he bagged 426 votes against Mr John Nyandika's 260.
Elections for the neighbouring Gucha branch hit a snag when members boycotted the poll after they failed to agree on how to divide the three slots left vacant after the creation of Gucha South branch.
Mr Majale also oversaw elections of the Bungoma East Knut branch, where Mr Joseph Barasa was voted the new branch chairman, defeating his sole opponent, Mr Aggrey Namisi.
Mrs Gertrude Khasoa was voted treasurer. The branch has 1,322 members.
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