The government is engaging with the Union of Kenya Civil Servants to avert industrial action arising from the non-implementation of Collective Bargaining Agreements.
Public Service CS Justin Muturi on Tuesday met with the union officials led by secretary general Tom Odege and national organising secretary Ali Sokor where deliberations focused on public sector reforms.
In a statement on X, Muturi said he gave a status update on the strides made thus far on the reforms and the betterment of the Civil Service Scheme of Service.
“Our commitment to enhancing performance and service delivery in the public sector remains steadfast,” the CS said.
“We have made progress in implementing the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for the period 2021-2023, with the first phase fully realised in the financial year 2023-24.”
Muturi revealed that implementation of the second phase of the CBA commencing on July 1, 2024, is on track, with the National Treasury having already approved the release of Sh1.5 billion for its implementation.
“Several people are feared to have died in a road accident involving a PSV and a trailer in Kericho County. ,” he said.
The development comes hot on the heels of another deal struck on Monday between the Teachers Service Commission and striking Kuppet teachers that had threatened to stall learning for days on end.
The teachers had been on strike since Monday 16 when learners reported to school for the third term demanding among other issues the implementation of phase II of their 2021-25 CBA.
The teachers had vowed to amplify the job boycott with some schools having resorted to sending learners back home on Monday but TSC moved speedily and convened a conciliatory meeting where a deal was struck late Monday after daylong deliberations.
"After a daylong meeting, we are happy to report to the nation that we have reached an amicable settlement which will enable our teachers to resume duty immediately," TSC CEO Nancy Macharia said.
She said Kuppet agreed to suspend the strike after the government provided funds for the implementation of phase II of the teachers' CBA plus the arrears due, further stating that the review of career progression guidelines has also started in earnest and was ongoing.
The CEO said the commencement of new CBA negotiations for the teachers will get underway as soon as Kuppet submits their demands.
"Parties have agreed that any other pending issue(s) will be resolved through bi-partite negotiations as is the practice," Macharia said.
Muturi said the government is committed to ensuring the country does not experience further industrial unrest in public service.
He said the aim is to foster a performance-driven culture that will not only boost productivity but also restore public confidence in the public service.
"We are engaging in constructive dialogue with the Union of Kenya Civil Servants to avert any disruptions and ensure that we move forward together in a spirit of mutual respect and understanding,” he said.
