Omboko Milemba, the National Chairman of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) and Member of Parliament (MP) for Emuhaya, has urged the government to reinstate Ksh13.5 billion intended for the implementation of the second phase of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for teachers. Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Milemba expressed deep concern over the recent budget cuts that have affected crucial funds allocated to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
Milemba’s appeal comes in the wake of the Finance Bill 2024 being rejected, leading to significant budgetary adjustments. The MP questioned the rationale behind including the Ksh13.5 billion allocated for the CBA among the funds subjected to these cuts. His remarks underscore the critical role this funding plays in the welfare of Kenya’s educators and the potential consequences of its withdrawal.
“We must make an amendment to this budget to include the Ksh13.5 billion for the CBA of the teachers,” Milemba declared emphatically. His statement highlights the urgent need for a budgetary revision to restore the funds essential for fulfilling the government’s previous commitments to educators.
Milemba’s concerns are shared by many in the education sector, as the funds are crucial for implementing the second phase of the CBA, which includes several key components. In addition to the Ksh13.5 billion for the CBA, Milemba has outlined other pressing needs that require financial attention. These include Ksh15 billion for medical cover for teachers, Ksh1.5 billion for teacher promotions, and the employment of 46,000 Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers.
The budgetary cuts have resulted in a significant reduction in the recurrent expenditure for the Teachers Service Commission by Ksh10 billion. According to Milemba, this cut directly impacts teachers’ compensation, threatening to undermine the agreed terms of the CBA. “When you look at the budget of Teachers Service Commission, it has been cut on its recurrent expenditure by exactly Ksh10 billion, meaning that all the teachers of Kenya are not going to get their full CBA as had been agreed by the government,” Milemba pointed out.
The MP’s call for immediate budgetary amendments reflects a broader sentiment among educators and their representatives. Milemba has warned that failure to reinstate the funds could result in industrial action by teachers. He has urged the Budget Committee and its members to address this issue with the urgency it demands. “I have talked to economists and it is imperative to make amendments to the supplementary budget to allocate Ksh13.5 billion towards implementing Phase Two of the teachers’ CBA and an additional Ksh15 billion to cater for medical cover,” he stated. “Failing to address this promptly could result in teachers taking to the streets as early as next week.”
The potential for a strike adds a layer of urgency to the situation. Teachers, who have already expressed frustration over previous delays in the implementation of the CBA, are now facing the possibility of further setbacks. The anticipated industrial action could disrupt educational activities across the country, affecting students and the broader educational framework.
Milemba’s call for reinstatement is a critical moment for the government to demonstrate its commitment to education and its workforce. As the debate continues, all eyes will be on the Budget Committee to see if they will heed the call to restore the Ksh13.5 billion and address the other pressing needs highlighted by KUPPET and its members. The resolution of this issue will not only affect the immediate well-being of teachers but also the overall stability of Kenya’s education sector.
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