Government Backs Down, Coughs Up Billions to Avert Teachers, Civil Servants Strike

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Barely a day after signing a deal with striking Secondary School teachers the government has agreed to the demands of the Kenya National Union of Civil Servants.

Addressing the media shortly after holding a meeting with officials of the union Public Service Cabinet Secretary, Justin Muturi said the government acted in time to avert a looming nationwide strike by civil servants.

The government, already reeling from a ballooning public sector wage bill, has been forced to swallow the humble pie to avert a wave of strikes.

Over the last week, the government has had to cough billions of shillings in response to demands for higher pay by teachers and mainstream civil servants.

After releasing KES 15 billion to implement the CBA deal between teachers and the Teachers Service Commission, the government has acceded to higher salary demands by civil servants.

On Tuesday, the Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi moved to avert a looming strike by civil servants, announcing that the National Treasury had released Sh1.5 billion to effect their demands.

Muturi said implementation of the final phase of the 2021-2023 CBA will take effect this year, backdated to July 1.

“The State Department for Public Service will use the approved budget for the financial year 2024-25 to ensure that our civil servants are well-compensated and motivated to serve Kenyans with excellence,” he said.

“Our commitment to enhancing performance and service delivery in the public sector remains steadfast.”

Muturi said that the government had made progress in implementing the CBA for 2021-2023, with the first phase fully realised in the financial year 2023-24.

The government has been facing strike threats from various sectors, threatening to hurt the already bleeding economy following months of anti-government protests.

Already, aviation workers have downed tools, protesting plans to hand over the management of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to an Indian firm.