The Kenyan government has officially closed both Primary and Secondary Schools following the teachers’ strike that has now entered its fourth week. The strike is to seek salary increment of 50 – 60% as directed by the Supreme Court. The government on its part has come out openly stating that it has no money to realize the demands of the teachers.

Hizb ut Tahrir / East Africa wishes to highlight the following points:

First since 1997 to date, that is exactly 18 years still the education sector’s issue is yet to be addressed! What a shame to the government that alleges to rule people while not being able to address pertinent issues touching on their teachers’ welfare. It is public knowledge that it is not only the teachers that have issues but also doctors and passenger vehicles owners are following the footsteps of the teachers. This depicts Kenya to be a country of strikes where workers are changing shifts!

Second it is crystal clear that democratic leaders are egocentric and ignorant to public interests. The evidence to that is Kenya has never experienced a strike by the Members of Parliament, who at any time propose and approve allowances increment at their whims despite the wrath of public opinion! It is confirmed that good education, good health and good environment in democratic countries is not the affordability for all as alleged but; contentment for the wealthy. Contrary to that, the poverty-stricken who are the majority in these despotic countries do not receive any good services and they are the ones who suffer the most with such kind of strikes. That is an open lie that confirms Democracy as a political setup that do not care about public interests instead cares for a group of individuals’ interests.

Third in capitalist nations, their employers and commissions hoodwink the employees with rights to participate in strikes in order for them not to realize the evil foundations of capitalism ideology itself. The reality is that strikes do not solve any of the employees’ problems; it is like refusing a sick person medicine to cure his or her ailment but; instead give him or her medicine to reduce the pain! What is required for the employees and people collectively is for them to reject the capitalist ideology that is devastating them. An ideology that is solely anchored to protect the economic interests of individuals who are milking the citizens dry by targeting them with different types of taxation that make their lives miserable even to those that are working. With such situations, the wailing is not merely about salaries but is on the high cost of living of which the capitalist governments have failed to cushion their citizens including the teachers.

Fourth Islam categorically states that education is among the basic needs of the public of which the State is supposed to provide education to all children irrespective of their socio-economic background. Islam also, directed that teachers’ salary to be paid from the State Treasury (Baitul Maal). Notwithstanding that, Islam also banned taxation on an employee’s salary so that to enable them meet their basic needs. Based on that, we categorically state that Khilafah upon the method of the Prophethood, you will not see strikes by teachers and all the staff because Islam preserves their rights.

Shabani Mwalimu

Media Representative of Hizb ut Tahrir in East Africa

Tuesday 8th Dhul Hijjah 1436 AH

22/09/2015 CE

REF: 18 / 1436 AH