Let the Housing Levy be voluntary, KNUT appels

Kiambu, Friday May 26, 2023

KNA by Steve Biko

The Kiambu branch Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Chairman Samuel Muiruri has called on County legislators to reject the three percent housing levy amid current Teachers’ financial woes.

Speaking to KNA, Muiruri who double as the Kiambu East KNUT Executive Secretary said teachers are already grappling with many statutory deductions, thus the State should sort an alternative to fund the housing project.

“Let us be clear, we are not in a tussle with the government, on the contrary what we want is a salary increment of 60 percent whether in phases or not, then they can deduct the three percent. No salary increments no deduction,” he maintained.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) 2021-2025, he noted, was signed with non-monetary benefits but is yet to be met long after the Covid-19 challenge was overcome.

In July 2021, Muiruri recalled, the unions in the public sector signed a cashless CBA following the advice by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) for non-monetary CBAs due to the adverse effects of Covid-19 on the country’s economy.

He likewise urged the National Assembly to reject the proposed deductions that he noted will worsen the prevailing high cost of living.

Muiruri appealed to President William Ruto to relent from imposing the housing levy on public servants even as he called for public participation over the issue.

If the bill passes, he warned, KNUT officials and teachers will move to court or stage a boycott in protest. “It will not be smooth sailing for the government in the push and implementation of the three percent housing levy,’’ he threatened.

Since the proposal of the housing levy by the president, various worker’s organizations have urged the government to make the levy voluntary.

Courtesy ; K. N. A