KUPPET Accuses KNUT of Betraying Teachers Amid TSC Salary Increase Proposal

Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Secretary General Akello Misori criticized KNUT for accepting the offer, which he argues amounts to betrayal of the teaching community as the TSC proposal remained ambiguous.

KUPPET demanded a 30 percent salary increase for all teachers during the meeting conducted on Tuesday, August 22, to discuss the salary review for teachers.

Misori expressed skepticism regarding the accuracy of the information concerning the salary increment.

He observed that the Salaries and Remuneration Commission’s (SRC) proposal significantly differed from the Teachers Service Commission’s (TSC) offer.

Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and KUPPET officials on Tuesday vehemently disagreed with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission’s (SRC) proposed salary increases.

The controversy centers on the specifics of a collective bargaining agreement that the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) drafted to pursue a 2.4% salary increase for the lowest-paid teachers.

TSC also proposed a 9.5% raise for the highest-paid teachers, to be paid two years prior to negotiating a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

According to TSC’s proposal, teachers would have received between Ksh1,076 and Ksh3,000 in salary increases.

The SRC, under the direction of its chair, Lyn Mengich, had proposed a 7–10% pay increase in contrast. KUppet, however, rejected these proposals, arguing that they were too low for its members.

It was argued that the 30% raise would compensate teachers for the rising cost of living. In addition, KUPPET noted that the government awarded greater pay raises to other civil servants, such as physicians and nurses.

Misori expressed frustration, highlighting the discrepancy in communication. He pointed out that even the President had discussed an entirely separate offer. He emphasized the difficulty of negotiating with individuals who seem to hold their negotiations with disdain and a lack of honesty.

“I have given them up to Monday, August 28, to table tangible proposals that we can talk about,” KUPETT Secretary General Akello Misori stated.

KUPPET Accuses KNUT of Betraying Teachers Amid TSC Salary Increase Proposal