Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi has supported President Uhuru Kenyatta’s sentiments that increasing the teachers salaries as ordered by courts would raise the public wage bill.
Speaking at Cheptiret town on Monday, Sudi said teachers must be realistic in their demands because if the government heeds to the court order, then the wage bill would rise to 62 per cent from 52 per cent.
This, he said, would be a burden to wananchi as it means that the government will be forced to tax them more, a move that will impact on commodity prices.
"I urge teachers unions leaders to swallow their pride and dialogue with the government on how the salaries will be paid and for how long. They should also understand the current situation and give the government time to pay them," he said.
He appealed to the teachers to put the interest of the innocent students especially the form four and standard eight candidates at heart saying they need to be prepared to sit their national examinations this year.
"This third term is critical for students. The strike could affect the performance of students in public schools since they are ill-prepared. I urge them to resume duty as the government is working on their salary increment," Sudi said.