The Murang’a County Government has signed a return-to-work agreement with Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers, paving the way for improved salaries and bringing to an end a prolonged labour dispute that had disrupted learning and triggered repeated demonstrations.
Deputy Governor Stephen Munania, who represented Governor Irungu Kang’ata during the signing ceremony at the Governor’s Office on Monday, said the agreement reflects the county’s commitment to improving the welfare of ECDE teachers and strengthening early childhood education.
The agreement was signed by officials from the Murang’a county government and the County Government Workers Union (COGWU) following months of consultations that included public participation forums across all sub-counties and negotiations with the union.
Under the agreement, ECDE teachers will receive annual salary increments over the next four years until their salaries align with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) guidelines.
The first phase of the salary review will take effect at the end of July, with degree holders receiving an increment of Sh.10,000, diploma holders Sh6,000 and certificate holders Sh4,000.
The agreement also reclassifies employees previously serving as caregivers, who will now be recognized as ECDE teachers. In addition, teachers who have been serving as interns will be absorbed into the county workforce, and will start earning Sh27,000.
Munania assured teachers that all the concerns they had raised would be addressed progressively as the county continue implementing the agreement.
He also announced that teachers who participated in the industrial action would not be penalized for the days they stayed away from work.
To foster a fresh start in labour relations, the Deputy Governor said the county government and the union had agreed to withdraw all court cases related to the dispute to allow room for dialogue and smooth implementation of the agreement.
He urged teachers who are yet to sign the new employment contracts to do so immediately so they can be included in this month’s payroll.
Munania reaffirmed the county government’s commitment to fully implementing the agreement and providing adequate resources to improve learning in all ECDE centres across the county.
COGWU Deputy Secretary John Ndunda confirmed that the union had signed the return-to-work agreement on behalf of the ECDE teachers, marking the end of the industrial dispute.
Ndunda said the union would withdraw all court petitions filed against the county government and instead pursue dialogue aimed at improving the teachers’ welfare and terms of service.
He commended the county government for listening to the teachers’ grievances and maintaining open engagement with the union throughout the negotiations.
Ndunda also appealed to teachers who have not signed the new contracts to do so within the next 48 hours to avoid missing out on this month’s salary processing.
He further urged teachers to make arrangements to recover lessons lost during the strike to ensure learners do not fall behind in the school calendar.
The agreement brings to close months of industrial unrest during which ECDE teachers staged demonstrations demanding better pay, improved terms of service and permanent employment.
The county administration expressed optimism that the deal will restore industrial harmony and enable teachers to focus on delivering quality early childhood education across Murang’a.
By Bernard Munyao
