Gathungu to Ruto: Stop punishing teachers and civil servants!

By Newsflash Reporter

Leshau Pondo MCA Kamau Gathungu has hit out at President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza government, accusing it of impoverishing teachers and civil servants through unnecessary deductions on their payslips.

Speaking on Friday, April 25, 2025, at Baari, Mairo Inya, during the burial ceremony of veteran educator Mwalimu Jane Wangechi Macharia, Gathungu — who is also eyeing the Ndaragwa parliamentary seat in 2027 — said it was unfair for the government to continue burdening hardworking Kenyans under the guise of development programs.

“I pose a question to those who are here today: Did teachers agree to contribute to the Housing Levy?” Gathungu asked mourners. “Some of these teachers have reached 50 years, they already have their homes, and do not need the government to build houses for them. Why force them to contribute?”

He criticized the mandatory Housing Levy, saying it is unjustified and goes against the will of the people. “We are failing as a government if we continue imposing such deductions. Let everyone build a house where and how they wish. It should be a personal choice, not a government-imposed obligation,” he said.

Turning his attention to the recently launched Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), Gathungu lamented that Kenyans were contributing to the fund but still lacked access to quality healthcare. “Another issue is the SHIF. You contribute, but when you visit a hospital, the services are wanting. Where is the money going?” he posed.

He warned that the government should stop punishing teachers, civil servants, and ordinary citizens through what he termed as “unnecessary levies” that only deepen poverty among the hardworking populace. “It is not only teachers who are suffering — it’s the entire mwananchi. We must keep speaking about these injustices until something changes,” he vowed.

Leaders enjoy lavish benefits while citizens suffer

Gathungu did not spare fellow elected leaders, accusing them of abandoning their mandate to defend the common citizen. “We, the elected leaders, enjoy all manner of allowances — sleeping allowance, standing allowance, almost even eating allowance,” he quipped, drawing laughter from the mourners. “Meanwhile, the teachers who taught us are being overtaxed and neglected.”

Leshau Pondo MCA Kamau Gathugu making a call to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during the burial of Reverend Shadrach Kingara at Gwa Kung’u, Ndaragwa, Nyandarua County, on 22 April, 2025. Photo/Newsflash

“Why are we punishing teachers and civil servants who form the backbone of our nation? The next government must avoid invading Kenyans’ payslips with unnecessary levies. This government has tired the masses, and it is time for change,” Gathungu asserted.

He passionately defended teachers, describing them as the most critical pillars of society who deserve better remuneration and respect. “Teachers are not just remunerated — they should be appreciated. Were it not for teachers, we wouldn’t have Milcah, Cate, Father JM, or even myself, Gathungu,” he said.

Gathungu revealed that he had once missed a teachers’ mass due to unavoidable circumstances but emphasized that he holds deep respect for educators. “That’s why today, we suspended other engagements to mourn with Mwalimu Macharia’s family. Teachers must know they are appreciated by us as their elected leaders,” he said.

He further acknowledged that teachers’ efforts often go unrecognized despite their crucial role in nation-building.

Politics over service

The MCA also revisited the issue of bursaries, lamenting that political interference had led to the withdrawal of bursary allocation powers from MCAs. “When I was first elected in Leshau Pondo, we used to disburse Sh2 million in bursaries. I pushed the kitty to about Sh10 million,” he noted.

Leshau Pondo MCA Kamau Gathungu making a point at the Nyandarua County Assembly recently. Photo/Handout

“Even the teachers present here know we disbursed significant cheques to schools in Ngai-Ndeithia, Baari, Githunguchu, and elsewhere. But politics crept in. The government thought MCAs were becoming too popular and respected, so they took away the funds.”

He criticized the move to centralize bursary distribution through Members of Parliament, warning that it undermines grassroots development and hurts vulnerable families. “We don’t allocate bursary money to ourselves. We help needy children. Now, without our input, are we really serving our people?” he challenged.

Gathungu also took a swipe at President Ruto’s remarks that he was an expert in road construction. “You heard the President saying he is the expert and that we should stop constructing roads and leave everything to him. We know we are being deceived,” he said.

He concluded with a rallying call for truth and justice: “Even if you bury the truth 1,000 feet deep, it will still rise. We must keep speaking up for the teachers, for the civil servants, and for all Kenyans. A government that forgets its people is a government on borrowed time.”