The Orange Democratic movement (ODM) Secretary General Ababu Namwamba has told the Jubilee government to honour the court ruling that awarded teachers a salary increment.
Speaking in Nyamira town on Monday, the Budalangi MP urged the government to respect the ruling.
He said it is the government through the teachers’ employer, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) that moved to court to oppose a pay rise last year and that it should be accept any verdict given by the courts.
“The government took the teachers to court and at first the Industrial Court ruled that the teachers were right in demanding for a pay rise. The government appealed unsuccessfully until the highest court in Kenya has ruled in favour of the teachers. What else do they expect? They should move with speed and respect the rule of law and let the teachers and students go back to class,” said Namwamba.
In June, the labour court awarded the teachers a 50-60 per cent pay rise, a ruling that was upheld by the Appeals court and ratified by the Supreme Court in August.
He also pledged support for the teachers as the Opposition promising that they would fight for their rights if the government fails to honour the Supreme Court ruling.
“We fully support the teachers and let them be paid what they rightfully deserve. The government should respect our courts because it is through the court that they are in power,” concluded Ababu.
Meanwhile, the secretary general urged all Nyamira County leaders to join hands and work together for the sake of the electorate and development.
Namwamba at the weekend led the ODM caravan in Kisii and Nyamira counties to sensitise residents to register for national identification and voter’s cards through the programme dubbed ‘Vijana Tokelezea’.