Teachers and civil servants in Homa Bay have objected to government plans to deduct three per cent of their salaries to fund affordable housing project.
Through their unions, the government workers said would they consider downing tools should the National Assembly approve the contentious Finance Bill 2023.
They argued that the bill will subject majority of public workers to suffering and asked for its amendment before MPs approve it.
The bill proposes deduction of three per cent of the basic salaries of government employees to finance construction of affordable houses.
Kenya National Union of Teachers officials in Homa Bay Patrick Were (secretary), his Rachuonyo and Suba counterparts Eliud Ombori, and Roseline Olambo have petitioned MPs in Homa Bay to reject the bill. Also present was Cornel Ojuok said.
They presented their petition to the office of the clerk of the National Assembly.
Homa Bay teachers said the housing scheme is not a priority to them.
“Majority of us own houses we built using loans which we’re still servicing. We don't see any need of the government subjecting us to further deduction to finance the housing project,” Were said.
Speaking to journalists at their office in Homa Bay town on Monday, Were said teachers have houses of their desired specifications and should not be forced by the government to have others.
They said teachers are struggling to make ends meet and further taxation would leave them overburdened with other statutory deductions.
“Let the bill be subjected to public participation so Kenyans can give their views. The cost of living is already high and teachers shouldn’t be overburdened,” Were added.
MPs who have received the letter are Peter Kaluma (Homa Bay Town) , Lilian Gogo ( Rangwe), Adipo Okuome (Karachuonyo), Caroli Omondi (Suba South) and Millie Odhiambo ( Suba North).
Others are Martin Owino (Ndhiwa), Ong'ondo Were (Kasipul), Eve Obara (Kabondo Kasipul), Senator Moses Kajwang and Woman Rep Joyce Osogo.
They are asked to lead their colleagues in Parliament to reject the bill.
Ojuok and Olambo appealed to President William Ruto who is pushing for salary deduction to suspend his proposal.
“MPs should not pass a bill that is overburdening Kenyans. Majority of Kenyans have objections to the bill, so ae teachers,” Ojuok said.
Their counterparts from Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) also opposed plans to deduct salaries.
Secretary Stephen Yogo and chairman Jack Okoth said teachers are among heavily taxed government employees.
Yogo said they are ready to mobilise his teachers to abandon classrooms if the government goes ahead and deducts salaries to construct houses.
“The 3,500 teachers aligned to Kuppet have unanimously rejected the bill. Additional deduction would force all teachers to the streets,” Yogo said.
Homa Bay branch of the union of civil servants said such deductions would affect their financial planning and budgets.
Secretary Tom Aketch argued that most government employees have plans on how they spend their money throughout the month.
“The government should make the issue optional. Let those who are willing have their salaries deducted to join the housing scheme,” Aketch said.
