KNUT, KUPPET, and KUSNET Push for CBA Talks As TSC Awaits Direction from SRC
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) and the Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET) have sent formal demands to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to start negotiations for the 2025-2029 CBA with less than a month to go before the current agreement expires.
The 2021-2025 CBA was signed between the unions and TSC and is set to expire on 30th June 2025. During the budget presentation before the Education Committee of the National Assembly on 13th May 2025, TSC confirmed that no provision has been made for the financial implementation of the successor CBA in the 2025-2026 budget.
“Key areas not funded at all in the 2025-2026 budget for TSC are the financial requirements for the CBA that is under negotiation,” said Cheptumo Ayabei, Director of Finance at TSC.
The unions are not happy with this. Hesbon Otieno, Deputy Secretary-General of KNUT said TSC has not responded substantively to the proposals submitted months ago. “We submitted our proposals months ago but instead of engaging, TSC is hiding behind ‘waiting for advice from Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC)’ as an excuse,” Mr Otieno noted.
KNUT demands include:
- 60% basic salary increase over 4 years indexed to inflation
- 30% increase in allowances
- Revision of Career Progression Guidelines (CPGs) to have entry point for new teachers as Job Group C1 instead of B5
- Promotions based on merit, experience and qualifications
- Revised medical exit policies
- Extension of paid sick leave to 6 months full pay and 6 months half pay.
KUSNET Secretary-General James Torome confirmed that the union has not received any communication from TSC since July 2024 when the Commission acknowledged receipt of KUSNET’s proposals. “We have not started negotiations on the 2025-2029 CBA with TSC. The last letter only said ‘we will revert in due time’ so we are still waiting,” Mr Torome said.
KUSNET has proposed differentiated salary increases with 40% for school heads and principals (Job Groups D1-D5) and 50% for lower grade staff (Job Groups B5-C5). Other demands include:
- Risk allowance of KES 15,000 per month for Special Needs Education (SNE) teachers
- Annual uniform allowance of KES 15,000 for SNE teachers
- 50% increase in all other allowances
- Expansion of hardship areas. KUSNET warned that any changes to hardship policies must be subjected to judicial review as per previous agreements.
KUPPET Secretary-General Akelo Misori has also faulted the TSC for delaying to start negotiations despite the Commission being fully operational. “The commission is fully constituted and what we need now is for the acting CEO, Evaleen Jesang Mitei to start talks and follow the process smoothly,” Mr Misori said.
KUPPET’s memorandum has demands for salary increase ranging between 30-70% and 100% for select allowances. Specific proposals by KUPPET are as follows:
- Reduction of CBA cycle from 4 years to 2 years
- Automatic promotions up to deputy principal
- Two promotion tracks from Grade D1: one for administrators and another for non-administrators
- Full compensation for all acting roles and eventual elimination of acting positions
- Harmonisation of house allowances with Cluster 1 regions including Nairobi
- Payment of per diems for official duties outside the duty station
- Introduction of postgraduate and risk allowances
- Review of job descriptions for classroom teachers to address disparities with administrators holding similar qualifications and experience
Read Also: KNEC Invites Teachers to Apply as KCSE 2025 Assessors
The 2021-2025 CBA was largely non-monetary and was agreed upon during the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The unions now argue that with the current economic stability there is no justification for further delay in starting negotiations or for excluding financial provisions in the budget.
No statement has been issued by the Teachers Service Commission on the start of negotiations or budgetary changes.
KNUT, KUPPET, and KUSNET Push for CBA Talks As TSC Awaits Direction from SRC
