The Murang’a County Government has defended its position on the remuneration of Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers, citing legal and financial limitations while assuring educators that an agreed salary adjustment framework will be implemented from July 2026.
In a statement issued by County Secretary on June 8, 2026, the county acknowledged concerns raised by ECDE teachers over their pay and recognized the critical role they play in laying the educational foundation for children across the county.
The county government said it had reviewed the matter within the framework of its fiscal responsibilities and emphasized the need to balance employee welfare with sustainable service delivery.
According to the statement, Murang’a County currently employs approximately 5,000 staff members, with personnel emoluments consuming about 52 percent of the county budget- above the statutory ceiling of 35 percent for wage expenditure.
The county noted that when County Assembly expenses and staff medical cover are factored in, total wage-related obligations account for nearly 70 percent of the budget.
ALSO READ:
County officials warned that any significant increase in recurrent expenditure could compromise funding for essential services and development programmes, including healthcare support initiatives, school feeding programmes, infrastructure development, and community projects.
The county further stated that it remains committed to ensuring fairness across all employee categories and has aligned ECDE teachers’ remuneration within the broader county human resource framework applicable to comparable cadres.
Murang’a said that following consultations with stakeholders, it was agreed that the revised remuneration structure would take effect on July 1, 2026, subject to approval of the 2026/2027 financial year budget.
The county maintained that the implementation timeline would allow the changes to be incorporated lawfully and sustainably into its financial planning. It added that details of the agreed remuneration structure had already been communicated to teachers, with many reportedly endorsing the arrangement.
The county government reiterated its commitment to continued engagement with educators and other stakeholders, stressing that its goal is to maintain a stable, professional, and sustainable public service while safeguarding the interests of residents.
ALSO READ:
KDA sounds alarm over unaccredited university dental degrees
Murang’a officials assured ECDE teachers that decisions regarding their remuneration are being guided by legal requirements, equity considerations, and long-term financial sustainability.
The reactions come after ECDE teachers from the county staged a protest outside the office of the Governor over what they termed as poor pay and job insecurities amid the biting economy. The teachers vowed to down their tools if their concerns are not addressed with immediate effect.
By Juma Ndigo
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
