Where are our dues? Retired teachers cry.
An agreement between the government of Kenya and the Kenya National Union of Teachers led to the formation of a framework that could see the increase of teacher salaries and the payment of pending pension cases in an effort to end the long teachers strike. It is two decades now and teachers still cry foul.
The agreement that is part of legal notice number 534 saw the Teachers Service Commission commit to settle all teachers as from July 1, 1997 a sum beyond their normal salaries. As per the agreement, the implementation of the total lumpsum payment amounting to 42.3 billion Kenya shillings could take a five phase strategy. Teachers in lower cadres could receive a 200% increase, with a 150% increase for those in higher cadres.
After meeting the first phase of the implementation strategy in 1998, the Teachers Service Commission has not yet met the terms of the 1997 agreement. As a result, retired teachers now question the government regarding the payment of their dues.
After undergoing immense suffering, a section of teachers has been engaged in a journey to compel the Teachers service Commission to meet its obligations. The court process started by this faction of teachers began in 2004 in Nakuru. However, two decades after the process began, the group is yet to achieve its objectives.
In 2008, Judge David Maraga made a ruling to reiterate the entitlement of teachers to their complete salary increments upon their retirement. Twenty years later, the implementation of the judgement orders has proved futile. To date, retired teachers continue to perish in poverty with majority failing to provide for their families.
Regardless of the commitment of retired teachers in the fight for their dues, their hope is slowly fading away. With many suffering from chronic conditions, time is a luxury they do not have.
The reduction in hope levels is also pegged on the deterioration of health status and even death of union leaders who played a major role in the formation of the agreement.
Unlike other civil servants, to date, retired teachers continue to face significant challenges in the processing of their retirement dues. Chief Executive officers in the Teachers Service Commission continue to pass the burden of meeting the obligations of the 1997 agreement from one CEO to another.
Where are our dues? Retired teachers cry.