Knut did not pay Cord to support teachers -Sossion

Knut has no political affiliations but cannot “demonise” the role of the Opposition in ending the teaches’ pay hike stalemate, an official has said.

Secretary general Wilson Sossion issued the remark following Cord’s opening of an account for donations towards the teachers’ salary increment.

Sossion said the Opposition must be allowed to play its role, but noted that the union did not pay any party to support teachers.

“The Opposition is funded by taxpayers’ money. The teachers’ strike is a matter of national interest,” he said via Twitter on Thursday.

Sossion added that Cord rightfully opened the Solidarity Account, which was unveiled during an animated rally in support of teachers on Wednesday.

The fiery Knut boss reiterated that the teachers’ strike, now in its fourth week, will continue, “even if they miss their September salaries”.

TSC chairperson Lydia Nzomo had said striking teachers would be considered to have absconded duty and be removed from the pay roll, which she said closed on September 18.

Cord leader Raila Odinga and Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka deposited Sh100,000 each into the teachers’ account.

They asked the public to send whichever amount they can afford to Safaricom PayBill number 672672.

Raila said money collected through the account will enable the government raise the Sh17 billion needed to grant teachers their 50 to 60 per cent basic salary increment.

In another show of solidarity, Cord said it will hold protests every Tuesday outside the Office of the President and other senior state official until the government budges.

The protest is ” the culmination of a peaceful revolution to remove Jubilee from power because this government has bad intentions against Kenyans,” Kalonzo said.

– the-star.co.ke

Knut did not pay Cord to support teachers -Sossion