Former presidential candidate and gospel musician Reuben Kigame has strongly criticized the government over the recent salary increment for teachers, terming it as “conmanship” and a betrayal of the teaching profession. Speaking during a Sunday service in Nyahururu, Kigame accused the government of playing games with teachers and failing to address the pressing challenges in the education sector.
Kigame, who has declared interest in vying for the presidency in the 2027 General Election, said the government’s approach to education shows a lack of seriousness that could jeopardize the future of millions of learners. He stressed that teachers deserve more than token increments, noting that the marginal salary adjustments announced by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) offer no meaningful relief to educators grappling with the high cost of living.
“The government is engaging in conmanship. These small increments are not helping teachers. It’s just a show. The real issues affecting education are being ignored,” said Kigame.
Teachers across the country have expressed widespread dissatisfaction with the July salary adjustments announced under the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed with teachers’ unions. Many say the increases are too small to make a difference—particularly after taxes and statutory deductions.
Mwalimu Michael Gachohi, a union official from Nyandarua, noted that most teachers were left disappointed and bitter after viewing their pay slips. “The increase was so little that after tax, many teachers didn’t notice any change. It feels like we’ve been deceived,” he said.
Frustration is now spilling over towards union officials, who are accused of signing a deal that benefits unions through increased deductions while doing little for teachers’ financial well-being.
Kigame urged the government to stop targeting those who call out bad governance and to instead focus on delivering meaningful reforms. He pledged to be a consistent voice for accountability, justice, and better treatment of educators and all public servants.
As discontent brews, the education sector risks further unrest unless the government revisits the CBA and prioritizes genuine dialogue with teachers.
