Teachers’ unions warn of strike as TSC stalls on new CBA, budget omits salary review funds

Teachers’ unions are accusing the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) of failing to act on their salary proposals, even as the government’s 2025–2026 budget makes no provision for a new collective bargaining agreement, raising fears of a looming crisis in public education.

Officials from the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut), Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet), and Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (Kusnet) say they submitted fresh proposals months ago, but have not received any meaningful response from the TSC.

What is more worrying, they say, is the total lack of budgetary allocation for the CBA in the upcoming financial year.

“Key areas that are not funded at all in the 2025-2026 budget for the TSC include the financial requirement for the CBA that is under negotiation,” said Cheptumo Ayabei, the TSC’s director of finance, during a presentation before the National Assembly Education Committee.

Avoided engagement

Knut Deputy Secretary Hesbon Otieno said the commission has avoided engagement by claiming it is waiting for advice from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.

“We submitted our proposals months ago, but instead of engaging, the TSC continues to hide behind the ‘waiting for advice from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC)’ as an excuse,” Otieno said as reported by the Daily Nation.

Knut is seeking a 60 per cent increase in basic pay and a 30 per cent rise in allowances, spread over four years.

It also wants a review of Career Progression Guidelines to start new teachers at Grade C1 instead of B5, promotion based on merit and experience, improved sick leave policies, and revised medical exit terms.

Talks yet to begin

Kusnet Secretary-General James Torome said the TSC acknowledged receipt of their proposals in July 2024, but talks are yet to begin.

“We are yet to commence negotiations on the 2025–2029 CBA with the TSC. The last letter only promised to revert in due time, so we are still waiting,” he said.

Kusnet is pushing for a 40 per cent salary increase for school heads (Grades D1–D5) and 50 per cent for lower cadres (B5–C5).

Risk allowance

The union also wants a monthly risk allowance of Sh15,000, a yearly uniform allowance of Sh15,000, and a 50 per cent increase in other allowances.

It further insists that any changes to hardship area policy must go through the courts.

At Kuppet, Secretary-General Akelo Misori criticised the continued silence from the commission, saying there is no leadership gap to blame for the delays.

“The commission is fully constituted, and what we now need is for the acting CEO, Evaleen Jesang Mitei, to initiate talks and ensure the process is seamlessly followed,” Misori said.

Kuppet has proposed a salary raise ranging from 30 to 70 per cent and a 100 per cent increase in certain allowances.

Reduce CBA cycle

The union also wants the CBA cycle reduced from four years to two for more timely reviews, and a revision of Career Progression Guidelines to allow automatic promotions up to the deputy principal level.

They also propose splitting promotion tracks into those for administrators and non-administrators.

Other demands include compensation for acting roles, harmonised house allowances with Cluster 1 regions like Nairobi, post-graduate and risk allowances, and per diem payments for work outside duty stations.

With the current CBA set to expire in three weeks, the unions now warn that time is running out.

If negotiations do not begin immediately, they say, teachers may be left with no option but to take industrial action.

Unions argue that the last CBA was accepted under financial strain during the Covid-19 pandemic, but with the economy now more stable, teachers deserve improved pay and conditions.

They say delays are no longer acceptable.