Kang’ata defends hiring freeze as ECDE teachers demand better pay

ECDE teachers protesting outside Murang'a county government offices in Murang'a town in February 2026 /ALICE WAITHERA

Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata has ruled out the immediate employment of thousands of Early Childhood Development and Education teachers on permanent term, citing financial constraints and legal limits on county wage expenditure.

He acknowledged the legitimacy of the teachers’ concerns but maintained that fiscal discipline must guide the county’s decisions.

“Our ECDE teachers shape the future of this county. Their demands for better facilities, fair pay and job security are just but leadership requires us to confront reality,” Kang'ata said.

The governor spoke when he addressed MCAs in the county assembly.

He said Murang’a currently spends about Sh417 million every month on salaries, with Sh350 million going to the county executive and Sh67 million to the county assembly.

This, Kang'ata said, is against an average monthly revenue of Sh690 million, comprising Sh640 million from the exchequer and about Sh50 million from own-source revenue, meaning over 60 per cent of total income is absorbed by wages.

The figure exceeds the 35 per cent legal threshold set under the Public Finance Management (County Governments) Regulations, 2015, and rises to nearly 70 per cent when staff allowances, medical cover and other recurrent expenses are factored in.

Kang’ata warned that expanding permanent employment without restraint could expose the county to legal violations or trigger future layoffs.

“This means a painful truth. A small number of employees consumes two thirds of resources meant for over one million residents,” he said, adding that the administration would pursue dialogue and phased reforms rather than what he termed as fiscally unsustainable promises.

The governor further cautioned against returning to a period when county workers experienced salary delays, noting that his administration has worked to ensure employees are paid by the 10th of every month.

He attributed occasional delays to bureaucratic processes, including delayed approvals by the Controller of Budget.

His remarks come amid growing pressure from ECDE teachers who have staged demonstrations in Murang’a town demanding improved terms of service.

The teachers argue their current contracts, which classify them as caregivers, deny them adequate pay, benefits and job security.

One of the tutors, Caroline Wambura, said the financial strain has become unbearable, with many struggling to meet basic needs.

“The deductions leave us with very little to sustain our families. It is difficult to survive on what remains,” she said, referring to their gross monthly salary of Sh17,000, which drops to about Sh14,000 after statutory deductions.

The 1,200 teachers have been on annual contracts since 2016 and said repeated engagements with the county government have yielded minimal results.

They pointed out that despite earlier promises of salary adjustments, only a marginal increase has been implemented over the years.

Another teacher, Joyce Wanjiku, emphasised the critical role ECDE tutors play in shaping the foundation of learning, arguing their contribution is undervalued.

“We lay the foundation for all other levels of education. It is unfair that we continue to be treated differently from other public servants,” she said.

The tutors also raised concerns over a court ruling directing that all 1,200 ECDE teachers in Murang’a be employed on permanent and pensionable terms in line with Salaries and Remuneration Commission guidelines.

They claim the directive has not been fully implemented.

Felina Kahia noted that while the county has invested heavily in improving ECDE infrastructure, including modern classrooms, furniture and a feeding programme benefiting over 42,000 learners, teacher welfare remains a critical gap.

“Good classrooms and free porridge are important but they are not enough if teachers are demoralised and struggling to survive,” she said.

The teachers further cited frequent transfers away from their home areas as an added financial burden, saying the cost of housing and commuting is not reflected in their salaries.

They warned continued reliance on short-term contracts denies them pension benefits and long-term financial security.

But Kang’ata said his administration has chosen a responsible path that entails dialogue not confrontations or demonstrations.

“We have given them an opportunity to come and dialogue but not through demonstrations. Let's come up with a responsible settlement. Not a political, fiscally unsustainable solution,” he said.