The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) officials in Kiambu county have called on legislators to reject the Finance Bill 2023 which proposes a 3% deduction on teachers’ payslips to fund the national housing scheme housing fund saying there is nothing left to be deducted.
Speaking during a press briefing in Kiambu town, Kiambu East branch Executive Secretary Samuel Muiruri said that teachers have so many deductions on their payslips that the proposed deductions will leave the teachers in poverty.
“We are not fighting the government as what we want from now is for the teachers’ salary to be increased. We are demanding a salary increment of 60% whether in phases or not and after that the government can have a dialogue with the teachers concerning the housing fund deductions,” Muiruri said.
The KNUT boss said that the government should look for other avenues to fund the housing project.
“This housing project is not a matter of life and death and should wait for a time when the country’s economy is stable. People are in poverty and many are unable to pay school fees, provide decent meals to their families and cope with life financially,” Muiruri said.
He called on the President and his deputy to cease chest-thumping and instead commit the matter to public participation.
“We are telling the President and his deputy not to thump their chests and speak with Kenyans. They want to deduct a teacher who is over 55 years old and you tell them that you will refund the money after seven years after they retire,” he said.
The KNUT officials however said that if the Finance Bill is passed, teachers will have to use alternative measures to protest.
By Felix Wanderi
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