Kenya: After Hospital, Karuturi School closes

A secondary school belonging to the troubled Karuturi flower farm in Naivasha has been closed indefinitely. Parents and four form KSCE candidates are anxious after teachers went on strike demanding their delayed salaries.

A teacher, who declined to be named, said they have not been paid for two months. "We have decided to take a break until our grievances are addressed as we cannot teach on empty stomachs," said the teacher.

Naivasha district education officer Peter Orina said a meeting has been called to address the strike. In a press statement, the farm chairman, Sai Karuturi, denied the company owes the teachers money.

"In regards to the claims of unpaid salaries, we wish to inform you that Karuturi has always been ready and willing to settle any salaries," the statement said.

The 200-acre farm in Naivasha is already struggling for a long time to pay its more than 3,000 employees. There is 8 million unpaid tax open next to an electricity bill of 140,000 euros that is unpaid. Karuturi is one of the world largest cut rose growers with over 600 million stems per year.

Source: allafrica.com