ECDE teachers from all the six subcounties of Siaya broke into celebration on Tuesday after the administration of Governor James Orengo employed them on permanent and pensionable terms.
The 602 teachers were issued with the improved job offer after they stagnated on contractual terms since their hiring in 2017.
"Following your interview with us, I am pleased to communicate the decision of the Siaya County Public Service Board vide MIN. SFB/03/29/07/2022 dated 28th July, 2022 that you be appointed on probation to position of Assistant ECDE Teacher III-Job Group CPSB(F) in the service of Siaya County Government on a Permanent and Pensionable term," reads a copy of the letters of offer seen by the Star.
The tutors will receive a basic salary of Sh16, 890.
Allowances include house and commuter allowances of Sh3, 000 each per month and leave allowance of Sh4, 000 per year.
"Your incremental date will be determined in accordance with the current public service regulations upon confirmation in your appointment," the offer says.
The teachers have staged incessant protests at the county headquarters.
Just last week, Governor Orengo met them and said their demands had been fixed in the budget for the 2023-2024 financial year.
"I consulted with Siaya county speaker George Okode and agreed that there cannot be any budget without the ECDE teachers being part of it," Orengo said.
The ECDE teachers protested upon learning that only 50 of them were set to be hired permanently.
"Being permanent and pensionable means that your salaries have been enhanced," Orengo explained to the teachers.
He assured them that his decision to employ them on permanent terms will outlive his stay in office.
"Being permanent and pensionable means that I can cease to be governor tomorrow but you will remain," he said.
The governor urged the national government to be mindful of the plight of the low and downtrodden instead of increasing salaries and allowances of the country's top leadership.
