CORD conning Kenyans in the name of teachers – Jubilee

Jubilee Members of Parliament have rubbished move by opposition to establish an MPESA paybill number to raise money to pay teachers during their ongoing strike.

Led by Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki and TNA Chairman Johnsone Sakaja, the MPs alleged that CORD is raising funds for 2017 election campaigns and therefore conning Kenyans in the name of raising money to pay teachers.

Also Read: ODM says government not serious with teachers’ pay demands

This follows an announcement by CORD during the Wednesday public rally in Uhuru Park that they will mobilize resources to pay the teachers.

The MPs also criticized Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama over his remarks at the CORD rally, saying they were demeaning to the President and Devolution CS Ann Waiguru.

The Jubilee lawmakers say they will hold a public rally this weekend to push police to arrest Muthama over his alleged inciting remarks during the CORD rally led by Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka.

Coalition for Democracy and Reforms (CORD) leader Raila Odinga launched the teachers’ kitty on Wednesday to enable the public to contribute money to cater for teachers salaries.

Speaking during a CORD rally at Uhuru Park in Nairobi, Raila said he has given a personal contribution of Ksh 100,000 and urged Kenyans to contribute.

According to a statement by Mobile service provider Safaricom, only 180 thousand shillings has been raised so far.

Odinga accused the government for failing to pay teachers in line with the Employment and Labour Relations court ruling made in June this year awarding them a 50 to 60 per cent increment and instead taking them through protracted court battles.

“Our teachers have demanded a day’s pay for a day’s work. Our courts have agreed that they deserve it, they must have it,” said Raila Odinga.

“President Uhuru Kenyatta has said he can’t pay, won’t pay making our children find themselves at home and not at school as it tradition.”

The ODM party leader accused President Kenyatta of dishonesty in his apparent refusal to pay teachers saying the government has enough revenue collection to sustain teachers’ salary demands.

“Even if we add county governments and parastatal, the figures tell a different story from what jubilee is telling the public.”

Odinga noted that public wage bill only stands at 32 per cent of the budget and the government can afford to pay teachers.

The Cord leader further questioned the apparent allocation of 540 billion for government development projects, which stands at more than double of county allocations, saying the figures speak of deeply-rooted corruption in government.

“A recent World Bank report concluded that infrastructure development requirements could be reduced by half through efficiency gains,” said Raila.

“Infrastructure spending, according to the World Bank has been inflated by 100 per cent which is lost through corruption, wasteful projects and embezzlement.”