A rare public confrontation broke out at a burial ceremony in Siaya County between KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu and Safina Party Deputy Leader Willis Otieno, as the two leaders clashed over the newly signed 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for teachers.
The disagreement took place on Monday, August 4, 2025, during the funeral of a retired educationist, where both leaders seized the opportunity to discuss the welfare of teachers following the recently concluded negotiations with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
Defending the deal, Oyuu described the CBA as a hard-won victory for teachers in the face of stringent economic constraints. “KNUT negotiated a CBA 2025/2029. This CBA had both a cash component and a non-monetary component,” he said, adding that it was the best outcome possible under the current economic climate.
He urged teachers not to dismiss the agreement, but rather to view it as a step forward while continuing to press for further improvements. “We appreciate the little that was given to these teachers. We appreciate this greatly, and we want to behave like Oliver Twist, pick from the right-hand side and ask for more using the left-hand side,” Oyuu said.
However, lawyer and politician Willis Otieno offered a sharply contrasting view, dismissing the agreement as insufficient and disrespectful to the teaching profession.
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“Our teachers deserve better,” he declared. “The salary increment per teacher amounts to 200 shillings per teacher, which is a mockery of the role that teachers are playing.” Otieno urged educators to accept the deal, but not to settle for it. “I urge our teachers to receive it, but must ask for more, because a better teacher, a well-enumerated teacher, guarantees a better student,” he emphasised.
The CBA, signed between TSC and unions including KNUT, KUPPET and KUSNET, amount to Ksh33 billion.
It introduces salary adjustments over five years, ending on June 30, 2029.
The lowest-paid teachers—previously earning around Ksh23,000—will see their salaries rise to about Ksh29,000, translating to a 29.6 per cent increase. The raise will be implemented in phases, with Ksh8.4 billion allocated annually for salary adjustments.
The agreement followed intense, day-long negotiations held at the Kenya Institute of Special Education in Kasarani on Friday, July 18, 2025, involving union leaders and government officials.
By Joseph Mambili
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