Kenya's Kenyatta tells striking teachers to resume work

Kenya's President, Uhuru Kenyatta has urged teachers who have been on strike for about 3 weeks to return to work, saying their demand for a pay rise of up to 60% could not be met.

Kenyatta said the state wage-bill already accounted for more than 50% of budget spending and raising teachers' pay, would require raising taxes, borrowing more or cutting development spending.

He said the options are unsustainable, arguing that the country must live within its means.

The budget deficit for the financial year starting July the 1st was already forecast to be 8.7% of gross domestic product, from 7.8% last year.

The teachers' unions have more than two hundred and eighty thousand members. School term-dates have already been changed to cope with the strike.

A Kenyan labour court will decide on September the 25th on the legality of a teachers' strike.