Panafrican News Agency

Kenyan teachers, employer in talks after court blocks strike

Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and a Conciliation Committee are meeting in Nairobi after a court blocked a planned teachers' strike.

The Union, with a raft of grievances, had called a nationwide strike for Thursday, the day public schools re-opened.

But the teachers' employer, TSC, rushed to court which blocked the planned strike late on Wednesday.

The union and TSC are appearing before the Conciliation Committee, constituted by the Labour Minister, for mediation talks over head teachers' transfers and lack of promotions.

Employment and Labour Relations Court Judge Bryan Ongaya directed TSC Board Chairperson Lydia Nzomo, Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia, KNUT Chairman Wycliffe Omucheyi Etole and Secretary General Wilson Sossion to lead their respective teams to the meeting.

“Pending the hearing and the determination of the petition or further orders from the court, the applicants and the respondents shall attend conciliation proceeding before the Conciliation Committee at the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection Offices, Nairobi,” Justice Ongaya directed in his ruling.

Ongaya instructed both parties to report progress of the talks on 19 February.

There were fears that the strike would paralyse learning in Kenya.
-0- PANA DJ/MA 3Jan2018