- KNUT urged the Ministry of Education to fast-track teachers’ welfare reforms during its first meeting with the new Principal Secretary.
- The union called for payment of examination allowances, implementation of revised Career Progression Guidelines and faster rollout of the 2025–2029 CBA.
- KNUT also welcomed the KSh2 billion teachers’ promotions fund and urged a fair, merit-based promotion process.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has renewed its campaign for improved teachers’ welfare and accelerated education reforms following a strategic meeting with the newly appointed Principal Secretary for the State Department for Early Learning and Basic Education, John Lekakeny Ololtuaa.
The high-level engagement, held at Jogoo House in Nairobi, brought together the KNUT leadership led by Secretary-General Collins Henry Oyuu and National Chairman Patrick Karinga Munuhe. It marked the union’s first official meeting with the new Principal Secretary since his appointment.
During the courtesy visit, KNUT congratulated Ololtuaa on his appointment, describing his return to the education sector as a boost for the ministry. The union noted that he previously served in senior leadership positions within the Ministry of Education before taking up a similar role in the Ministry of Tourism.
According to KNUT, Ololtuaa’s experience in public administration and education governance places him in a strong position to spearhead reforms aimed at strengthening Kenya’s basic education system.
The union reaffirmed its readiness to work with the Ministry of Education in implementing government policies and programmes designed to improve learning outcomes while safeguarding teachers’ interests.
Union seeks payment of allowances and CBA implementation
Among the issues raised during the meeting was the delayed payment of teachers who administered the 2025 national examinations.
KNUT urged the Ministry of Education to prioritise the release of the outstanding examination allowances before the commencement of the 2026 national examinations, arguing that teachers who manage national assessments deserve prompt compensation.
The meeting also reviewed progress in the ongoing review of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Career Progression Guidelines (CPG), a process jointly undertaken by KNUT and the commission under the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Secretary-General Collins Oyuu said although the revised guidelines had already been signed, their implementation depends on coordinated support from the Ministry of Education, TSC, the National Treasury and other government agencies.
He said key stages still remain, including harmonisation of teachers’ job descriptions, job evaluation, resource allocation and full implementation of the revised framework.
KNUT also pressed for the accelerated implementation of the 2025–2029 CBA.
The union reminded the Principal Secretary of commitments made during the Walimu na Rais consultative meeting held at State House on September 13, 2025, where it appealed to President William Ruto to shorten the implementation period of the four-phase salary agreement.
While acknowledging that the government has implemented the second phase of the agreement, KNUT appealed for the remaining two phases to be merged into one final phase to ease the financial burden facing teachers.
Promotions fund welcomed
Teachers’ promotions also featured prominently during the discussions.
KNUT informed the Principal Secretary that the government had allocated KSh2 billion to facilitate long-awaited promotions for teachers, fulfilling a commitment made by President William Ruto during the 2025 State House meeting.
The union called for a transparent, fair and merit-based promotion exercise to ensure deserving teachers are promoted in accordance with established guidelines and without discrimination.
KNUT maintained that timely promotions are essential in motivating teachers, enhancing professionalism and strengthening service delivery in public schools.
The union reiterated its commitment to constructive engagement with the Ministry of Education, TSC and other education stakeholders to address emerging challenges facing the teaching profession.
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The meeting concluded with both parties expressing optimism about strengthening their working relationship to advance education reforms while safeguarding the interests of teachers and learners.
By Hillary Muhalya
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