By JANE WAITHIRA
Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers in Murang’a County have received a major relief after the county government agreed to increase their salaries.
The teachers have long been demanding that their remuneration be aligned with guidelines set by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). On several occasions, they have taken to the streets to protest poor pay.
In a bid to resolve the standoff, the county government has agreed to implement a gradual salary increment based on the teachers’ academic qualifications.
According to County Secretary Newton Mwangi, ECDE teachers holding degrees will receive a salary increase of Sh10,000, those with diplomas Sh6,000, and certificate holders Sh4,000.
Mwangi said the new salary structure will be implemented from July 2026 over a four-year period under a new contract crafted by the county’s legal team.
He noted that a large number of teachers had already signed the new contracts and accepted the revised terms, adding that the county remains committed to resolving the matter within the confines of the law.
“We have factored the increment into the 2026/27 budget, and the increase shall be effected every year until it reaches the standard stipulated by the SRC,” he said.
The County Secretary defended the phased approach, saying the administration is unable to implement the increments at once due to financial constraints.
Mwangi dismissed claims that the county was oppressing teachers, saying the government is seeking a sustainable solution that will not cripple other essential county programmes.
“We are trying to strike a balance between the wage bill and development. If we decide to pay the teachers what they are demanding immediately, some projects will collapse,” he added.
Mwangi further revealed that the Court of Appeal sitting in Nyeri last week granted conservatory orders suspending a judgment by the Employment and Labour Relations Court that had required the teachers to be employed on permanent terms, pending the hearing and determination of the county’s appeal.
According to the county government, implementing the court ruling in full would increase its wage bill by more than Sh300 million annually, pushing it further beyond the legal threshold set under the Public Finance Management Act.
The county’s wage bill currently stands at 52 per cent of its revenue, significantly above the 35 per cent ceiling prescribed by law.
The teachers welcomed the agreement, saying it offers hope for better pay in the near future. However, they maintained that they will continue pushing for employment on permanent and pensionable terms.
