By Veronicah Stellah
In a significant move to bolster the education sector, Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has announced the conversion of 453 Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers from contract to permanent and pensionable positions. The announcement was made on Monday outside the governor’s office in Wote, where Governor Mutula handed over appointment letters to the newly confirmed teachers.
Governor Mutula explained that budgetary constraints had previously delayed the transition of these teachers to permanent status, affecting their salaries and allowances. “In 2014, recognizing your essential role, the county government recruited 950 of you on contract due to budgetary constraints, which delayed your conversion to permanent and pensionable positions,” he stated.
Despite these challenges, Mutula praised the teachers for their unwavering dedication and hard work. He highlighted that the first cohort of 497 teachers had already been made permanent in January and assured the remaining teachers of their permanent status by July.
“This gesture is not a political move but a reward for your hard work, despite the low earnings that were insufficient to meet your daily needs,” the governor emphasized. He also stressed the importance of treating and remunerating teachers well, both at the national and county levels, as they play a crucial role in shaping the future and positively impacting young children.
Governor Mutula noted that his administration has invested in building child-friendly infrastructure and providing essential materials to facilitate activities such as music and digital learning in ECDE centers across the county. “We can spend so much money constructing beautiful classrooms, but teachers go home with Ksh 5,000 or Ksh 7,000. This is inhumane. We apologize for what you have endured,” he said.
The newly confirmed diploma teachers, who were previously earning Ksh 20,000, will now receive Ksh 41,000, while certificate holders will see their earnings increase from Ksh 17,000 to Ksh 37,000, along with additional allowances. The ECDE teachers will also be transferable within the county.
Governor Mutula encouraged the teachers to embrace continuous learning to stay updated with new technologies and teaching methodologies, enabling them to offer quality education to Makueni’s young children.
“We have completed 36 out of 44 projects in the 2023/2024 financial year. Through the Anita Mbinya Foundation, we have distributed 1,000 kiddie chairs and 125 kiddie tables to enhance learning in our ECDE centers across the county,” added Elizabeth Muli, the Executive Committee Member (ECM) for ICT, Education, and Internship.
At the same event, Makueni County Woman Member of Parliament Rose Museo praised the county government for its efforts in nurturing young children. Other notable attendees included Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, Makueni County Service Board Chairperson Dr. Nicomeus Muteti, Devolution ECM Japheth Mang’oka, and his counterparts for Lands, Urban Planning and Environment, and Trade, Nicolas Nzioka, and Dr. Sonia Nzilani, among other senior county government officials.
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