This archive report was first published on 6 August 2020.
Reuben Maina, a laboratory technician at Enkinda Secondary School, found himself in a difficult situation when the COVID-19 pandemic led to the closure of schools in March 2020. His monthly salary of Sh10,000 stopped, leaving him to fend for his young family.
With the help of a friend who owns a cyber cafe, Maina started selling educational revision materials in the streets of Nyamira town and other small centres. He initially sold the materials on a commission basis, but eventually saved enough to start duplicating, binding, and labelling his own stock.
On a good day, Maina makes a profit of up to Sh500, which is enough for his bus fare and upkeep for the family. He is among more than 200,000 teaching and non-teaching staff members whose payments were stopped after the government shut down all learning centres in March.
As schools remain closed, Maina will continue with his business until they reopen. His colleagues at Enkinda Secondary School are still waiting for directions from the government concerning their salaries.
Published on August 6, 2020.
