Murang’a: The stalemate between the Murang’a County Government and Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers continues, despite efforts by both parties to reach an agreement. Subsequently, the striking teachers took to the streets Wednesday, paralyzing learning in local ECDE centres as they demanded better employment terms.
According to Kenya News Agency, the teachers have vowed not to return to work until they are employed on permanent and pensionable terms. They accuse the county government of prioritizing infrastructure development over teachers’ welfare. James Mwangi, an ECDE teacher and the teachers’ spokesperson, said their demand is in line with a directive issued by the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nyeri.
Mwangi accused the county government of failing to comply with the court ruling, forcing teachers to continue earning what he described as meager and unlawful wages. He added that efforts to engage the county executive have not yielded results, citing a lack of goodwill from their employer. ‘We have held four meetings with county government officials, but all they tell us is to wait. Nothing has come out of it,’ said Mwangi. ‘We will not return to class until our demands are met and we are given proper employment terms,’ he added.
Mwangi noted that the affected teachers were currently earning a gross salary of Sh17,000, which after statutory deductions, left them with very little to meet their basic needs. He also pointed out that ECDE teachers in other counties had already been employed on permanent and pensionable terms. ‘Our colleagues in other counties have been absorbed on a permanent basis, and we do not understand why we have been left out,’ he said.
In a judgment in Nyeri ELRC Petition No. E008 of 2024, Kenya Union of Pre-primary Education Teachers v Murang’a County Public Service Board and others, the court directed the county government to pay ECDE teachers’ salaries and allowances as advised by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) in a circular dated August 10, 2023. The directive was to take effect from July 1, 2013, or from the date of employment for those hired later.
Another teacher, Mary Nzioka, criticized the practice of referring to ECDE teachers as caregivers, terming it demeaning and dismissive of their professional status. ‘We are teachers who should be treated with the same respect as our colleagues in primary and secondary schools,’ she said. Nzioka also accused the county government of investing heavily in other projects, while neglecting the welfare of ECDE teachers. ‘How are we expected to teach young children effectively when we are not adequately paid?’ she posed.
During a recent address to the county assembly, Governor Irungu Kang’ata said the county was unable to employ the teachers on permanent terms due to financial constraints. He cited a dilemma between complying with the court ruling and adhering to the Public Finance Management Act. Kang’ata noted that the current county’s wage bill stands at 51 percent against the recommended 35 percent threshold, an issue flagged by oversight bodies including the Controller of Budget and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission. ‘I will organize a meeting with the teachers so that we can discuss this matter, but as things stand, we are unable to comply with the court ruling.’ Kang’ata said.
In a letter dated March 9, 2026, the Murang’a County Government, through the County Secretary, Newton Mwangi, wrote to the Chief Justice seeking guidance on conflicting obligations regarding the ECDE teachers’ employment and the county’s fiscal responsibilities. The memo was aimed at seeking direction on how to comply with the court order, while at the same time adhering to public finance laws and safeguarding the broader public interest.
