Kisumu County Kenya Union of Post Primary Education members have converged at the Kisumu Anglican Church to seek divine intervention as the nationwide teachers’ strike enters its second week. ACK Canon Joshua Owiti, who led in the prayers at the church’s chapel on Sunday, told teachers to continue with the struggle for nothing comes on a silver platter. Owiti said teachers play an integral role in the development of the country and their remuneration should be just. “The knowledge teachers have impacted on Kenyans should not go into waste, teachers must be compensated for a well-done job and as such their monthly pay should be increased,” he said. He told the union members to remain steadfast in prayers as that will compel the government to sit at a negotiation table with the unions to find a lasting solution. The preacher said the plight of children and parents who pay taxes must be addressed and fixed as a matter of urgency. “Parents are now home with the children and continue paying taxes. The government should move with speed and end this stalemate,” he said. The county union executive secretary, John Hadulo, said the matter now only requires God’s intervention as they press with the industrial action. Hadulo said the church service is to give them spiritual nourishment to be able to participate in the strike through demonstrations, picketing and absconding duty. He said teachers are more concerned with the basic pay and not the allowances, adding that the government needs to cut down on its expenditure to pay teachers.

Is there a story unfolding in your community? Let Hivisasa know