THE FIRST DAY OF THE COUNTRY WIDE TEACHERS STRIKE IN KENYA.

By EMMANUEL BOAZ

Students from different public primary and secondary schools in Mombasa County were today left stranded as teachers went on strike as they had promised. Public Primary and Secondary school students from all schools in Mombasa County forced to head back home on their first day at school after the august holidays. The secretary of Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) in Kilindini branch Mombasa County Mr Dan Aloo said that the strike is in progress as planned. “We are ready to fight with this oppressive government till 2014. The salary given to us is peanuts and we have a right to demand our payment. We are also sure that even private schools will join us because the exams will not be undertaken in Kenya without the teachers education internationally only recognizes the teacher given a license.” Mr Aloo lamented. The teachers are on strike demanding an increment in their salaries and called for all Head teachers and stakeholders to join in the fight against oppression. “We have agreed between teachers, students, parents leaders and all unions that teachers have a right to demand the increment in their salary,” he said “The teachers are educated and hardworking. We want our members of parliament to demonstrate on our behalf and to demand for ministerial statement in parliament,” he added “We are sending a message to the government that we shall not go back to class until all our demands are met and we are ready to continue with the strike for as long as the government has not heeded to our demands,” said the Chairman of KNUT Mombasa County Mr Johnson Kibuga. “Nobody is going to be seen within the vicinity of any public school until the secretary general commands and demands the teachers to go back to school,” Mr Kibuga said. The minister of Education Mr Mutula Kilonzo said that the strike is illegal but the order was neglected by the teachers saying that the strike is very much legal because the new constitution allows us to go on strike if the employer and employee do not agree. “Teachers are ready to fight for your rights because It is only in teaching profession where big negotiations have to be made. Other sectors people do not negotiate they are given salaries just on a silver platter. But for us, since independence we have had to go on strike to get what is rightfully ours. ,” the Chairman added. All the teachers cried out Solidarity power, solidarity pesa, and solidarity forever. However education went on as usual in private schools. “Your students are not learning but the children from the rich families in private schools are in progress.” Mr Aloo called for students to demonstrate to the District Commissioners office and parents to head to the courts. Education is the key in this country.