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Kakamega ECDE teachers have issued a strike notice, demanding the settlement of outstanding gratuity payments owed to them by the county government.
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In a notice dated June 17, 2026, KUNOPPET warned that its members will withdraw their services if the gratuity arrears are not paid within the stipulated period.
Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers in Kakamega County have issued a seven-day strike notice, demanding the settlement of outstanding gratuity payments owed to them by the county government.
In a notice dated June 17, 2026, the Kenya Union of Pre-Primary Education Teachers (KUNOPPET) warned that its members will withdraw their services if the gratuity arrears are not paid within the stipulated period.
The union said the strike, if not averted, will begin at midnight on June 25, 2026, disrupting learning in public ECDE centres across the county.
KUNOPPET accused the Kakamega County Government of failing to honour contractual obligations by delaying payment of gratuity benefits earned by teachers. The union maintained that gratuity is a legal entitlement and not a discretionary benefit, arguing that prolonged delays have left many teachers frustrated and financially strained.
The looming industrial action threatens to affect thousands of learners enrolled in ECDE centres, with education stakeholders warning that any interruption at the foundational level could have far-reaching consequences. Early childhood education plays a critical role in learners’ cognitive, social and emotional development, particularly under Kenya’s Competency-Based Education (CBE) framework.
Should the strike proceed, classroom activities are expected to stall, potentially affecting learners’ preparedness and smooth transition to primary school.
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The dispute has also brought renewed attention to broader challenges facing ECDE teachers under devolved governments. Since the management of ECDE services was transferred to county administrations, teachers in several counties have frequently raised concerns over delayed salaries, unpaid benefits, inconsistent remuneration structures and poor employment terms.
Education analysts note that the Kakamega standoff highlights persistent governance and funding gaps that continue to undermine the sector despite efforts to strengthen early childhood education. They argue that while devolution was intended to improve service delivery at the grassroots level, financial constraints facing county governments have often resulted in labour disputes that disrupt learning.
The strike threat is expected to pile pressure on both county and national governments to address longstanding concerns surrounding the funding, management and professional welfare of ECDE teachers. Labour officials and education stakeholders are now expected to engage in negotiations aimed at resolving the dispute before the strike deadline lapses.
If no agreement is reached, Kakamega could witness a major disruption in early learning services, a development that may trigger similar demands from ECDE teachers in other counties facing comparable challenges.
By Hillary Muhalya
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