Murang’a county says financial constraints prevent immediate implementation of a court-ordered salary increase for Early Childhood Development Education teachers, opting instead for a gradual adjustment.
County secretary Newton Mwangi said the county values ECDE teachers and has already made provisions for salary increments in the 2026–27 financial year following consultations with teachers and their representatives.
“We care for our ECDE teachers. They are the foundation of learning and we value the work they do. We have listened to them and agreed to adjust their pay,” Mwangi said.
The county government said teachers with higher academic qualifications will be moved to higher salary scales, with the new rates taking effect from July 1 once the county budget is approved.
Mwangi said that many teachers had already signed the new contracts and accepted the revised terms, adding that the county remains committed to resolving the matter within the law.
His remarks come amid an ongoing dispute between the county government and ECDE teachers over employment terms and remuneration.
The county secretary said the Court of Appeal sitting in Nyeri on Monday granted conservatory orders suspending a judgment by the Employment and Labour Relations Court that required the teachers employed on permanent terms, pending the hearing and determination of the county’s appeal.
According to the county government, implementing the court ruling in full would increase its wage bill by more than Sh300 million annually, pushing it further beyond the legal threshold set under the Public Finance Management Act.
Murang’a’s wage bill currently stands at 52 per cent of its revenue, significantly above the 35 per cent ceiling prescribed by law.
Mwangi said the county must balance employee compensation with development projects and service delivery.
He said graduate ECDE teachers will receive salary increments of Sh10,000 annually beginning in the 2026–27 financial year until they reach the ceiling set by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
Diploma holders will receive annual increments of Sh6,000 while certificate holders will get Sh5,000.
Mwangi maintained that the county was not seeking to oppress teachers but was instead pursuing a sustainable solution that would not cripple other essential county programmes.
The latest developments follow weeks of protests by ECDE teachers in Murang’a who have been demanding permanent and pensionable terms as well as implementation of SRC salary guidelines.
The teachers have staged several demonstrations in Murang’a town and accused the county government of failing to honour previous agreements.
Speaking during one of the protests, ECDE teacher Miriam Wamaitha said teachers were earning about Sh17,000 per month, which drops to about Sh14,000 after statutory deductions.
“A teacher with a certificate should be earning at least Sh30,000, Sh40,000 for those with diplomas and Sh50,000 for those with degrees in accordance with SRC guidelines,” she said.
Tom Kang’ethe, the treasurer of the County Government Workers Union National, accused the county administration of failing to address the matter despite receiving several notices from the union.
“We have given the county ample notices to ensure they pay the teachers accordingly,” said Kang’ethe.
The county government, however, argues that the earlier court orders would have required an immediate implementation of SRC salary scales, resulting in salary increases of more than double for some teachers, a financial burden it says it cannot currently sustain.
