Chaos as Teachers Who Met Ruto at State House Line Up for Cash Handouts
Thousands of teachers converged on State House Nairobi for a meeting with President William Ruto and were treated to a mix of new goodies and logistical headaches.
While Kenyan teachers got a promise of better medical insurance, many left the city feeling shortchanged.
Teachers started arriving in Nairobi on Friday evening and others on Saturday morning ahead of the afternoon meeting. The session with the President ended around 8pm but for many, the day was far from over. Teachers were required to queue late into the night to collect a KSh 10,000 stipend which the government said was for expenses incurred during the trip.
However the process was marred by long queues, confusion and complaints. Teachers were in line until 9pm and some said they couldn’t travel back home due to the delays.
“There are many people in the queue. I cannot go back to Kakamega today, I will sleep and travel tomorrow morning. I have not got the value of my trip. I wish I had not come,” one teacher lamented.
For many, the stipend was not enough compared to the costs and hardships they endured during the trip. The chaotic distribution, despite being alphabetical, led to tension and visible impatience in the crowd. Some teachers went hungry, food was only served after the meeting with the President.
The government spent around KSh 100 million on the event, logistics and coordination. Allegations also emerged that union leaders got bigger payouts of between KSh 100,000 and KSh 180,000 each, further angering ordinary members.
Still, amidst the frustrations, there were tangible promises. Over 400,000 TSC teachers will benefit from a better medical insurance package. The President agreed to review the existing Minet-Kenya scheme as demanded by KNUT and KUPPET.
KNUT secretary general Collins Oyuu said the current package was not enough compared to other public servants’ schemes. The President and union leaders agreed Minet’s offering was below market standards so they will review.
Minet-Kenya insurance cover which was to be replaced under the new Social Health Insurance (SHA) was extended for another year after teachers pushed back. The review will now align teachers’ medical cover with the rest of the public service.
While the State House goodies are a step in the right direction for long term benefits, the chaotic stipend distribution has left many wondering if the trip was worth the trouble.
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Chaos as Teachers Who Met Ruto at State House Line Up for Cash Handouts