Leaders in schools uniforms during a rally at Uhuru Park, Nairobi, in support of the teachers’ pay hike demand, over which Cord leader Raila Odinga opened an account and donated Sh100,000 on Tuesday. Photo/MONICAH MWANGI
Cord leader Raila Odinga has deposited Sh100,000 into a new Solidarity Account in support of the teachers’ need for better pay.
Raila said money collected from the public through the account will enable the government raise the Sh17 billion needed to grant teachers their 50 to 60 per cent basic salary increment.
“We have opened a solidarity account for teachers, M-Pesa Paybill number 672672,” he told a charged crowd of Cord supporters during a rally at Uhuru Park, Nairobi, on Wednesday.
He urged Kenyans to deposit whichever amount of money they can afford in the account starting today.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka donated a similar amount; Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula did not attend the rally and has not spoken of the initiative.
The Opposition leader said Wetang’ula, also a Cord co-principal, sent his apology.
Knut leaders did not attend the rally.
Raila asked President Uhuru Kenyatta to stop threatening teachers and pay their higher dues as directed by the Supreme Court.
“Uhuru is lying to Kenyans about the wage bill. Our teachers have done a good day’s job; they must be paid for their labour. President Kenyatta is being dishonest in his refusal to pay teachers,” he said.
“The government is paying many ghost workers and parliamentarians who have been made redundant by devolution. If you ‘can’t pay and won’t pay’, go home.”
He added; “Jubilee is trying to protect corruption and living beyond its means.”
The public reacted to Raila’s move via Twitter hashtag #CordRally, one user saying it ended “just like the President’s speech the other day; no solution to the ongoing education crisis”.
“I think the Sh200,000 should have been distributed, in Sh200 notes, to the people who attended the rally, who withstood the scorching sun and ended up very tired. One thousand people would have benefited,” another said.
Another questioned why he would contribute to pay teachers, saying they earn more than he does – the lowest paid teacher in Kenya takes home Sh16,000.
Another termed it comedy, saying comedian Daniel ‘Churchill’ Ndambuki has a wide pool to choose from.
Raila was also likened to US Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump, who is known for controversial stances on state issues.
